Centrica battery-electric vehicles will use First Bus depot charging infrastructure under a new partnership between the two businesses.
The energy and services company joins DPD, Openreach and Police Scotland in that work. Its scope to use First Bus depots will be nationwide, with an initial phase of the partnership involving the operator’s depot in Leicester.
That will see charging undertaken while the Leicester fleet of Wrightbus battery-electrics is on the road and enable Centrica’s team of engineers “to cover more ground, reduce their environmental impact, and dedicate more time to the needs of their customers,” says First Bus.
Beyond that, the work has potential to extend to further depots across the operator’s electrified estate. First Bus says it is “harnessing its EV infrastructure to help support local communities and businesses to reach their environmental aspirations” and that the collaboration aligns with its own commitment to a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035.
To launch the partnership with Centrica, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood (pictured, centre) joined First Bus Managing Director Janette Bell (pictured, left) and other representatives of both the operator and Centrica to highlight the role that electric vehicle infrastructure will play in reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transport.
Centrica currently has more than 3,000 battery-electric vehicles and aims to convert its entire fleet to zero-emission by 2030. Director of Fleet Operations Rob Simister says that the work with First Bus will benefit efficiency and accelerate the pace of that transition.
First Bus Decarbonisation Programme Director Faizan Ahmad adds that the collaboration between the two parties will showcase “the power of teamwork to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in the communities we serve.”
Continues Mr Ahmad: “The shift to electric is a journey for businesses nationwide, and we are offering a smart, community-friendly solution that is simple, effective, and benefits everyone.”
