The UK’s first bus depot to offer consumer electric vehicle (EV) charging is now open to the public, at public transport operator First Bus’ new purpose-built hub at Summercourt depot in Cornwall.
The Summercourt charging hub is a first-of-its-kind for the bus industry, providing direct access for the public to rapid electric charging infrastructure for electric cars and vans.
The site is located along the A30 corridor, a key tourist route into Cornwall, and offers eight rapid chargers.
Payment is made via contactless credit card, with no app or signup required, at 69p/kWh, with rapid charging rates of up to 150kW.
The 12-month project saw a £1m investment from First Bus to provide the local area with key electric charging infrastructure, creating a charging site for the community to use.
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Simon Goff, First Bus South’s managing director, said: “Opening the Summercourt hub is a hugely exciting step forward in our decarbonisation journey.
“For local people, visitors and business, the new hub ensures EV drivers can charge their vehicles on a reliable connection at a fair price.
“We’re the first bus operator to offer consumer charging and I’m proud that we’re able to support the local community with this vital infrastructure that will make a difference for many years to come.”
The chargers at Summercourt are also available for local businesses to use, following a successful model by First Bus in Glasgow and Leicester, where companies such as Open Reach, DPD and Police Scotland used the operator’s infrastructure to support their own transition to EV fleets.
Achievements and innovations in EV charging infrastructure will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
