Heliox supplies power to five additional bus stops on First Bus
First Bus has tasked Heliox with the electrification of five additional bus depots in the UK. The public transport operator plans to extend its charging infrastructure to 14 depots, accommodating over 800 electric buses by 2025.
Heliox, a Dutch charging infrastructure provider now part of Siemens, will focus on depots located in Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Minehead, Taunton, and Basildon for this project. First Bus is set to invest £89 million (approximately €107 million) in this initiative, with the UK government contributing £16 million (around €19 million) from the ZEBRA 2 funding program. This effort aims to facilitate the introduction of 178 additional electric buses across four regions, aligning with First Bus's broader goal of achieving 14 depots with a total of more than 800 electric buses by 2025.
Heliox has referred to this new contract as a "significant expansion of the collaboration" with First Bus, as they have previously partnered on multiple projects. Their first joint venture in 2021 involved the electrification of a major depot in Glasgow, which, with the installation of 160 charging points, was recognized as the UK's largest fast-charging center for electric vehicles at the time. This was succeeded by additional infrastructure projects at eight other depots across Scotland and England, including locations in Glasgow, Aberdeen, York, Leeds, Leicester, Norwich, Portsmouth, and Summercourt, Cornwall, which also provides public access to fast chargers.
Stephen Wood, Heliox's Country Manager for the UK and Ireland, expressed excitement about continuing the partnership with First Bus as they transition towards a zero-emission fleet. He highlighted that the substantial £89 million investment from First Bus, alongside support from the ZEBRA 2 funding program, positions them to significantly enhance electric public transport, especially in rural areas. These new charging depots will be crucial in achieving this transition.
Faizan Ahmad, Decarbonisation Programme Director at First Bus, noted that these projects represent a key milestone in their commitment to a zero-emission bus fleet across the UK. The collaboration with Heliox has allowed for the electrification of depots and the introduction of advanced electric buses, leading to improved air quality and enhanced passenger experiences. As a leader in sustainable transportation, First Bus is dedicated to collaborating with both central and local governments to further national decarbonisation objectives and promote bus travel as a viable option for more individuals.
Original News Website:
electrive.com, heliox-energy.com
Tags: #fast chargers