Glasgow Electric Busses

Scotland’s largest bus operator First Bus completes Phase One of UK's largest electric bus depot in Glasgow.

07:30 12 October 2021

First Glasgow's Caledonia bus depot, UK's largest electric vehicle charging hub, is now operational. 

 

The new facility allows First Bus, Scotland's largest bus operator, to fully charge buses in just four hours with its 11 advanced rapid 150kW dual cable charging units. This milestone has been realised ahead of the arrival of a new batch of 22 electric buses and marks a significant step forward in First Bus' plans to have a zero-emission fleet by 2035. 

 

Phase two of the scheme will see the installation of an additional 69 rapid chargers at the Caledonia depot. 

 

Janette Bell, Managing Director for First Bus UK, said: “Innovative technology and electric infrastructure are key to minimising the UK’s carbon emissions, and so it’s fantastic to see this first step of our vision for the UK’s largest EV bus depot come to fruition. Our transition to a zero emission fleet is a bold ambition and, at every stage, First Bus is committed to transforming our business for the good of the environment. We’re proud to be putting our weight behind Scotland’s green ambitions, and the completion of this first phase of works at the Caledonia depot gives us an exciting glimpse into the future of bus. To see this first EV charging station site completed and ready to go in Glasgow, just as the city prepares to host COP26 later [in 2021], is a brilliant achievement.”

 

The depot transformation is funded by First Bus, which invested £35.6million into the project, and the Scottish government's Scottish Ultra-Low Bus Scheme (SULEB).