First Bus has signed an agreement to give van drivers from delivery firm DPD access to the EV chargers at its Caledonia Depot site in Glasgow.
Initially, eight EVs from the firm’s Cambuslang depot will use the facility to charge, as part of an initial trial period.
The expectation is that this number will increase to support DPD’s growing EV fleet in the city, which is planned to reach 200 electric vans by the end of next year.
Located on Glasgow’s southside, the depot has 160 rapid-charging points, supporting First Bus’s ambition to be emission-free by 2035.
The bus operator has worked closely with Hitachi ZeroCarbon to provide DC ultra-rapid charging Plug and Charge systems designed for commercial vehicles.
Graeme Macfarlan, commercial director at First Bus, said, “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.
“We’re already in conversation with other businesses and look forward to announcing further partnerships in the near future.”
Olly Craughan, head of sustainability, DPD UK said, “The partnership will be hugely beneficial as it will enable our drivers to access fast, reliable and secure charging stations in Glasgow during the day.
“Our plan is to be delivering in both Glasgow and Edinburgh city centres using only electric vehicles by the end of next year, and this is another step towards making that a reality.”
