First Glasgow has reached agreement with DPD for the delivery company to charge its battery-electric vans at the bus operator’s Caledonia depot in the city.
DPD is the first such business to sign up to the concept, which First Bus set out at the COP26 climate change conference in 2021. The work leverages the large DC rapid charging capacity provided at Caledonia for the growing First Glasgow fleet of BYD ADL buses, but which sits idle when they are in service.
Initially, eight battery-electric DPD vans from its Cambuslang site will access Caledonia to charge as part of a trial. The delivery business expects that number to increase as its zero-emission fleet in Glasgow grows to 200 by the end of 2023.
First Bus intends to offer rapid recharging from more sites to further third parties in due course. It is already in talks with potential additional partners.
In Scotland, the operator will deliver further battery-electric buses and associated charging infrastructure at depots in Aberdeen and Scotstoun in the near future. The group says that such an approach is key to maximising the potential of charging hubs while its own vehicles are in use.
Caledonia has 160 rapid charging points. First Bus has worked with Hitachi ZeroCarbon to provide the systems that will enable commercial vehicles to plug in at the site.
First Bus Scotland Commercial Director Graeme Macfarlan (pictured, right) has outlined a hope that the work with DPD “marks the first of many valuable partnerships and demonstrates the power that comes from working together to reduce carbon emissions.”
Adds Mr Macfarlan: “Electrifying fleets, and having the infrastructure in place to support them, is a mammoth undertaking, and it simply is not feasible for each and every business to build its own charging station.
“Reducing carbon emissions is a priority for us – not just to meet our own targets but because we are committed to delivering cleaner, greener journeys for Glasgow. We are already in conversation with other businesses and look forward to announcing further partnerships in the near future.”
