Centrica and First Bus Partner to Expand EV Charging Access, Advancing UK Fleet Decarbonisation

Centrica and First Bus Partner to Expand EV Charging Access, Advancing UK Fleet Decarbonisation

(IN BRIEF) Centrica and First Bus have launched a partnership granting Centrica access to First Bus’s EV charging infrastructure, beginning at the Leicester depot. This collaboration supports both companies’ emission reduction targets and allows Centrica engineers to extend service reach more sustainably. The initiative underscores First Bus’s commitment to a zero-emission fleet by 2035 and Centrica’s fleet electrification goal by 2030.

(PRESS RELEASE) WINDSOR, 13-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Centrica and First Bus, one of the UK’s leading bus operators, have announced a significant partnership aimed at advancing EV infrastructure access. Through this collaboration, Centrica will leverage First Bus’s rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at various bus depots, initially focusing on the Leicester site. This arrangement allows Centrica’s EV fleet to charge while First Bus’s vehicles are in service, enabling Centrica engineers to reach more customers efficiently while cutting down on emissions.

The partnership supports First Bus’s decarbonisation strategy and commitment to a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035. Centrica, which currently operates over 3,000 EVs, aims to transition its entire fleet to zero emissions by 2030, reinforcing both companies’ environmental commitments. The partnership launch at Leicester depot included a visit from Department for Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood MP, who commended the effort as essential for emissions reduction and sustainable transport growth.

Rob Simister, Director of Fleet Operations at Centrica, emphasized that this collaboration helps address operational challenges in fleet electrification, enhancing efficiency and accelerating the shift to EVs. Faizan Ahmad, First Bus’s Decarbonisation Programme Director, highlighted that this shared infrastructure model supports businesses and communities in meeting environmental goals while improving air quality.

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SOURCE: Centrica plc