First Bus has commissioned Heliox to electrify five additional bus depots in the UK, as part of its broader plan to expand its electric vehicle charging network. The public transport operator aims to operate 14 depots and more than 800 electric buses by 2025, enhancing its contribution to the country’s zero-emission goals.
The depots, located in Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Minehead, Taunton, and Basildon, will be equipped with charging infrastructure developed by Heliox, a Dutch company now owned by Siemens. First Bus is investing £89 million in the project, with an additional £16 million from the UK government’s ZEBRA 2 funding programme. This initiative will prepare the deployment of 178 more electric buses across four regions, reinforcing First Bus’s commitment to sustainable public transport.
This partnership marks an ongoing collaboration between Heliox and First Bus, which began in 2021 with the electrification of a large depot in Glasgow. The Glasgow site, featuring 160 charging points, was recognized as the UK’s largest fast-charging centre for electric vehicles at the time. Heliox has since installed charging infrastructure at several other depots in Scotland and England, including in Aberdeen, York, and Leeds, with Summercourt Cornwall offering public access to fast chargers.
Stephen Wood, Heliox’s Country Manager for the UK and Ireland, expressed enthusiasm about the continued collaboration. “The £89 million investment from First Bus and support from the ZEBRA 2 funding programme has enabled us to accelerate the transition to electric public transport, especially in rural areas,” he said.
Faizan Ahmad, Decarbonisation Programme Director at First Bus, emphasized the significance of these projects in reducing emissions and improving the passenger experience. “Our partnership with Heliox has allowed us to electrify our depots and introduce advanced electric buses, supporting national decarbonisation efforts and encouraging more people to opt for bus travel,” Ahmad added.