23 October, 2024: First Bus, one of the UK's largest bus operators, has announced a significant step towards enhancing its electric bus fleet by commissioning Heliox, a leading provider of rapid EV charging systems, to electrify five additional bus depots across the UK. This initiative will expand First Bus's electric charging network to a total of 14 depots, supporting the deployment of more than 800 electric buses by 2025.
The five depots slated for electrification are located in Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Minehead, Taunton, and Basildon. The project represents an £89 million investment from First Bus, with the UK government contributing £16 million through the ZEBRA 2 funding programme aimed at promoting zero-emission vehicles. First Bus plans to deploy 178 new electric buses across these regions, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to reducing emissions and enhancing public transport services.
Heliox, recently acquired by Siemens, has been a key partner for First Bus in previous projects, including the electrification of a large depot in Glasgow in 2021, which featured 160 charging points, the largest fast-charging centre for electric vehicles in the UK at that time. The company has since implemented charging infrastructure at eight additional depots in Scotland and England, with the depot in Summercourt, Cornwall, also providing public access to fast chargers.
In the company press release Stephen Wood, Heliox Country Manager for the UK and Ireland, expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with First Bus on their journey towards a zero-emission fleet,” he added “The huge £89m investment from First Bus and support from the ZEBRA 2 funding programme has enabled us to play a vital role in accelerating the transition to electric public transport, particularly in rural areas. These new charging depots will be instrumental in achieving this goal.”
In the press release Faizan Ahmad, Decarbonisation Programme Director, First Bus, stated, “These projects mark another significant milestone in our commitment to a zero-emission bus fleet across the UK. Our partnership with Heliox has enabled us to electrify our depots and introduce cutting-edge electric buses, delivering cleaner air and a better passenger experience. As a leader in sustainable transport, we're committed to working with both central and local governments to support national decarbonisation goals and encourage more people to choose bus travel.”
As First Bus moves forward with this ambitious expansion, the company remains committed to working closely with central and local governments to support national decarbonisation efforts and encourage more people to choose bus travel as a sustainable transport option.
