First Bus has opened a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charging hub for the public at its Summercourt depot in Cornwall.
The facility is believed to be the first UK bus depot to offer consumer EV charging and follows a ÂŁ1 million investment from First Bus to provide charging infrastructure to the area.
The hub comprises eight rapid chargers, payment via contactless card with no app or signup required, rapid charging rates of 150kW, and on-site rest facilities.
The chargers at Summercourt are also being made available to local businesses following a model used by First in Glasgow and Leicester, where companies such as Open Reach, DPD and Police Scotland have been benefitting from the operator’s charging infrastructure to support their own EV fleets.
Simon Goff, First Bus South Managing Director, says: “Opening the Summercourt hub is a hugely exciting step forward in our decarbonisation journey. For local people, visitors and business, the new hub ensures EV drivers can charge their vehicles on a reliable connection at a fair price.
“We’re the first bus operator to offer consumer charging and I’m proud that we’re able to support the local community with this vital infrastructure that will make a difference for many years to come.”
Adds Malcolm Bell, Executive Chairman, Visit Cornwall: “Visit Cornwall really welcomes this investment as we know that many people with EV are desperate to see an improvement in the charging infrastructure in Cornwall. Its proximity close to the A30 is excellent for not only local people but visitors making longer journeys.”
