The Summary
First Bus is one of the UK’s largest bus operators and now incorporates the UK’s largest Electric Vehicle (EV) charging hub at its Caledonia depot. Burges Salmon advised First Bus on its plans for offering third parties commercial use of its state-of-the-art EV charging infrastructure, a scheme that was first outlined at COP26 and is now progressing on a pilot basis. This involved drafting the pilot agreement to implement the project, and advising on wider aspects of third party access.
Why us?
The team at Burges Salmon has extensive expertise in the provision of innovative commercial contracts and models, which is complemented with a deep knowledge of the transport, energy and infrastructure sectors. Brian Wong, a partner in the firm’s Transport team worked alongside Charlotte Robinson, a senior associate in its Projects department. Both played a key role in structuring the pilot agreement that First Bus has entered into with DPD, the first company to sign up to the scheme, allowing its drivers to access and use the depot charging facilities while in Glasgow.
Holly O’Connell, First Bus, says: “We are proud to have launched our state-of-the-art rapid charging hub that has the potential to change the game for the transition to electric transport across Glasgow. The Caledonia depot charging station was unveiled ahead of COP26 and has the potential to charge a double decker bus in just four hours. This is an exciting and significant step forward in achieving net zero emissions.
“We would like to thank the team at Burges Salmon who have played a key part in the implementation of this innovative pilot. Their legal expertise was backed up by an in depth understanding of our business and the sector in which we operate. The pilot agreement has helped us secure a partnership with DPD, which we hope will be the first of many.”
Brian Wong says: “We are pleased to have supported First Bus in taking this innovative step towards its aim of allowing other parties in the local area to make use of its EV charging facilities, to push forward the Net Zero agenda. The Caledonia depot is a fantastic facility, and this is a smart initiative that has seen two brands make good use of this infrastructure and invest in a greener future for Scottish businesses.”
Charlotte Robinson adds: “Advising on ground-breaking projects such as this new initiative launched by First Bus is very rewarding. I am delighted to help First Bus bring its ambitions to life and help it assist more companies like DPD to undertake green journeys across the city of Glasgow. Reducing carbon emissions is a priority for many businesses and First Bus’s Caledonia depot has 160 state-of-the art, rapid-charging points that can make a real difference and forms part of its ambition to be emission-free by 2035.”
Outcome
Our advice has enabled First Bus to implement a successful third party contract with DPD to provide commercial use of the EV charging infrastructure at the Caledonian depot, which will help to expand its net zero impact.
Having the right legal documentation and protection in place has also given First Bus the confidence to collaborate with other companies to reduce carbon emissions in Glasgow.
If the pilot scheme is successful, it may see many more similar initiatives rolled out across the UK and contribute to the transition to EVs.