First Bus is helping UK delivery company DPD to carry out more green journeys in Glasgow in a move which sees the operator’s ambitions from COP26 come to life. At the global climate change conference last year, First set out its aim to offer local businesses use of the extensive electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at its Caledonia depot.
DPD has now become the first company to sign up to the scheme; the agreement means that DPD drivers will now have access to the site to charge their electric vehicles whilst in Glasgow, enabling them to travel a greater distance when making deliveries – without impacting the environment.
The arrangement allows the green potential of First Bus’ charging hub to be maximised while its own electric fleet is out in service. Graeme Macfarlan, Commercial Director at First Bus, said: “The partnership with DPD reflects the commitment we made during COP26 to help other businesses to achieve their green ambitions. We hope that this marks the first of many valuable partnerships and demonstrates the power that comes from working together to reduce carbon emissions.
“Electrifying fleets, and having the infrastructure in place to support them, is a mammoth undertaking, and it simply isn’t 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’re committed to delivering cleaner, greener journeys for Glasgow. We’re already in conversation with other businesses and look forward to announcing further partnerships in the near future.”
Located on Glasgow’s south side, First’s Caledonia depot has 160 rapid-charging points, supporting the operator’s ambition to be emission-free by 2035. The company has worked with Hitachi ZeroCarbon to provide the systems that will enable charging commercial vehicles at the site. Originally designed for the buses operating out of the depot, it is hoped the Plug & Charge solution will benefit businesses in Glasgow by providing the availability of DC ultra-rapid charging for commercial electric vehicles.
To begin with, eight DPD EVs from the firm’s Cambuslang depot will access the Caledonia site, during an initial trial period. The expectation is that this number will increase to help support DPD’s growing EV fleet in the city, which is planned to total close to 200 electric vans by the end of next year.
