Stagecoach Midlands and VEV have completed the first charging of a third-party battery-electric HGV at the operator’s Nuneaton depot.
That represents a further step by Stagecoach to offer B2B charging using infrastructure at depots that otherwise supports its own electric bus fleet. VEV says that such a strategy can help to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission technology across the HGV, last-mile delivery, refuse collection and blue light sectors.
Nuneaton houses 45 high-power chargers and a solar panel system to support a Yutong battery-electric fleet. Charging the HGV tested the VEV smart charging and digital energy management platform in use there.
Stagecoach looks to create a secondary income stream using its depot infrastructure while helping to decarbonise the wider transport system. The operator previously piloted a similar arrangement with VEV in Aberdeen as part of wider work to leverage its growing number of chargers nationwide.
VEV says that the Nuneaton HGV trial sets the scene for a future of more shared charging following plans announced by Stagecoach to give businesses access to its infrastructure during off-service hours earlier this year.
Stagecoach Head of Solutions Sales Marvin Smith says that the electric HGV charging trial at Nuneaton represents “a huge step forward” for the operator as it continues to test and refine that B2B offer before rolling it out more broadly.
“What we are building is truly unique, with wide bays that offer plenty of space for large vehicles, clean infrastructure, and no queues,” adds Mr Smith.
The HGV charge is part of a wider regional electrification project by VEV to support 150 battery-electric buses with Stagecoach at depots in Chesterfield, Leamington, Nuneaton and Rugby. Of those, Chesterfield, Leamington and Nuneaton have solar power generation.
Comments VEV Commercial Director for Bus and Coach Simon Cubitt: “We could not be prouder to be supporting Stagecoach with its ambitions for B2B charging as a key opportunity to help offset the costs of electrifying its fleet while helping other operators to start their own EV journey.
“Stagecoach has truly been leading the way to create an infrastructure network that serves the entire transport industry and surrounding community. We can’t wait to do more.”
