Thanks to new technology installed onsite, Glasgow’s First Bus now has the capacity to charge up electric buses fully within four hours. This makes its Caledonia depot on track to become the United Kingdom’s largest charging station for electric vehicles (EVs).
The bus depot recently reached a new milestone following the installation of 11 new rapid dual-cable 150kW charge points.
This initial stage of work was finished ahead of schedule to prepare for its new fleet of 22 electric-powered buses. The EVs are set to arrive at the depot before the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), which will be held in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12 this year.
Speaking to the Glasgow Times, Interim Managing Director at First Bus, Duncan Cameron, said:
“We have led the way toward the decarbonisation of public transport with the adoption of the country’s first Low Emission Zone and now we are once again raising the bar with state-of-the-art rapid charging that has the potential to change the game for the transition to electric transport.”
Firms planning electrical installations in Chester, Glasgow and other major cities should only use certified electricians to carry out work. Whether new EV charge points are being fitted or an upgrade to the main supply to power new equipment is being installed, qualified contractors can fit equipment safely and ensure it is delivering top performance levels.
The remaining work is scheduled to be completed by October 2022, with the depot able to house and charge 300 buses using electric batteries.
