First Bus Opens Up EV Chargers to Fleets & Public

First Bus has officially launched First Charge, a new name for its growing shared-charging programme. The idea is simple but significant: open up its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure to more than just buses.

First Charge

Fifteen depots across Scotland and England are part of the plan. The first is Caledonia depot in Glasgow, now fully open to the public with ultra-rapid charging for up to 34 vehicles at a time. This includes vans, cars and fleet vehicles. Prices start at 39p per kilowatt hour and charging is available from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily.

This is the first time First Bus has made in-depot charging available to anyone outside the business. Until now, its chargers were used solely for its own zero-emission fleet, which it aims to fully convert by 2035.

First Charge

The Glasgow site, just minutes from the city centre, offers staffed support and accepts contactless payments, along with roaming cards and apps including Fuuse, Paua, Electroverse and Allstar.

Isabel McAllister, First Bus UK Chief Sustainability and Compliance Officer, said:

“At First Bus, we’re progressing rapidly towards our goal of a zero-emission fleet by 2035, with an investment of over £320m to date.

“With First Charge, we’re building on our position as an industry leader, sharing our infrastructure to accelerate decarbonisation to help other users move faster too.”

Fleet operators are already tapping into the model. Companies like DPD, Centrica, Openreach and Police Scotland have been using First Bus depots for charging as part of early trials. The infrastructure is particularly attractive to operators running electric HGVs, vans or minibuses that require reliable daytime charging in urban locations.

First Charge

The depot’s charging tech was part-funded by over £6.4 million from the Scottish Government, on the understanding that it would be opened up beyond First Bus operations.

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said:

“I’m pleased that the First Bus Caledonia Depot is opening its doors to people and communities by providing ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging at affordable pricing.

“When the Scottish Government invested over £6.4 million to fund the charging infrastructure at the Caledonia Depot, it was always the intention that First Bus thought innovatively and collaboratively about how it might be used. By providing more public EV charging, we’re now seeing that ambition realised, improving charging opportunities and promoting range confidence for EV drivers.

“Through the new First Charge brand, First Bus is now leading the way by sharing their charging infrastructure, adding to Scotland’s comprehensive public EV charging network and continuing to support the transition to a net zero transport system.”

More depots across the UK are expected to follow, providing both pre-arranged fleet access and public charging in key locations. The service aims to plug a major gap in EV charging for commercial vehicles, while giving private drivers more confidence to go electric.

To find your nearest First Charge location or enquire about fleet access, visit firstcharge.co.uk.