First Bus commercial charging service First Charge has agreed a partnership with electric vehicle, fuel and business expense payment company Allstar to give third-party fleet operators access to high-power, secure charging facilities at 10 of the operator’s depots.
Under the collaboration, eligible Allstar customers can utilise that infrastructure in depots at up to 360kW as the First Charge units are added to the existing Allstar network.
The service will be paid for via what Allstar says is “negotiated pricing.” It notes how that will be attractive to operators of battery-electric HGVs, which can be difficult to charge on the public network.
Speaking about the work, First Bus Decarbonisation Director Faizan Ahmad says: “Through First Charge, we are unlocking the potential of our depot charging infrastructure for use beyond our own bus charging needs, helping more fleets to access ultra-rapid charging to make the switch to zero-emission vehicles.
“Allstar is renowned for its approach to making EV infrastructure and charging accessible for all. This collaboration represents an important step towards a more inclusive and scalable charging network across the UK.”
Adds Tom Rowlands, Managing Director, Global EV Solutions at Corpay including its UK brand Allstar: “Central to a successful transition to net-zero is infrastructure that can make charging an electric vehicle as convenient and quick as possible.
“However, this demands an approach that is far from one size fits all. That is why we have focused on bringing different charging environments to our customers, from near home charging to depots, for the smallest cars to the largest HGVs, and a single payment card that does it all.
“Installing a network of new chargers has been a significant project that is still ongoing, but it does not yet keep up with the demands and changing needs of drivers. This is why it is critical to make use of every charging point the country has to offer, and partnering with First Charge was the natural fit, with 10 locations across the UK.”
