First Bus has announced a new partnership with international energy and services company Centrica. The collaboration will see Centrica secure access to First’s rapid electric vehicle charging infrastructure at its depots nationwide, joining the ranks of Openreach, DPD and Police Scotland in plugging into the operator’s shared infrastructure initiative.
The initial phase of the partnership will enable Centrica to charge a selection of its electric fleet at First’s Leicester depot while buses are out on the road in service, allowing Centrica’s engineers to cover more ground and reduce their environmental impact. The partnership could be extended to further depots across the UK in the future, the company said.
The partnership was officially launched at First’s Leicester depot with a visit from Department for Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood MP, who joined representatives from First Bus and Centrica to highlight the critical role the electric vehicle infrastructure will play in reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transport. Centrica currently has more than 3,000 electric vehicles in its fleet but is aiming to convert all its diesel vehicles to zero-emissions by 2030.
Decarbonisation Programme Director at First Bus Faizan Ahmad said: “We’re excited about this collaboration, showcasing the power of teamwork to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in the communities we serve. The shift to electric is a journey for businesses nationwide, and we are offering a smart, community-friendly solution that’s simple, effective and benefits everyone.”
Rob Simister, Director of Fleet Operations at Centrica, added: “Our engineers carry out important work for our customers up and down the country every single day, and it’s their vehicles that get them where they need to be. As we continue to electrify our fleet, we’re always looking for innovative ways to address some of the operational challenges that comes with such a large transition. This partnership with First Bus will mean we’re more effective at getting to our customers, while speeding up the roll-out of our electric vehicles. That’s good news for the country, our colleagues, and our customers.”
