Glasgow is to be the site of a charging hub that will eventually accommodate up to 300 buses, First Bus has announced. The company said it will transform its Glasgow Caledonia bus depot into the UK’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging hub, as it delivers plans for a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2035.
The first phase of the project, now under way and expected to be complete by September this year, will see 11 dual DC rapid charging units installed, allowing for the introduction of a further 22 electric buses ahead of COP26.
A further 69 units will be installed from this summer (Phase Two), bringing the number of chargers on the site to 162. At that time, the depot will have the capability to charge 89% of the depot’s electric bus fleet at the same time using smart charging software, which will also minimise charging at peak times.
First Bus said its long-term objective is to ensure that the site is fully prepared for the transition to a 100% zero-emission fleet. This will include opportunities for further on-site renewable energy generation and storage.
The conversion at a cost of £35.6M has attracted £28.2M from the Scottish Government’s Scottish Ultra Low Bus Scheme (SULEB).
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport said: “I’m pleased that the Scottish Government have been able to support this infrastructure project, including the purchase of new electric buses, with an additional £28 million through two rounds of the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme. This investment is bringing green jobs and opportunities across Scotland, including for Scottish Power working on the electrical infrastructure in Glasgow and for Alexander Dennis in Falkirk leading on the manufacturing of new fully electric buses.”
First Bus’s power solutions partner for this project is Dutch company Heliox.