First Charge: Powering up the UK’s clean transport logistics

The public charging network isn’t designed for large vehicles

As the number of electric buses entering service grew, Calibre D2D Ltd found itself grappling with a major logistical challenge. The UK’s public charging network was designed for cars and vans, not for vehicles the size of a double-decker, and there was no dedicated national network built around the needs of commercial operators.

“The charging infrastructure just isn’t there for large vehicles,” explains Giles Warren, Managing Director at Calibre D2D Ltd. “You can’t just pull into a motorway service area and plug in, the bays are too small, the access is tight, and it takes up all the space. We needed sites designed for large commercial vehicles, not cars.”

Before partnering with First Charge, Calibre relied on a patchwork of ad-hoc arrangements with various bus operators and businesses that had their own depot chargers. While these sites offered a temporary fix, they weren’t set up to accommodate third-party users, leading to complications around access, capacity and administration.

“It was a bit of a mish-mash,” says Giles. “We might be able to charge at one depot one week and then have to find somewhere completely different the next. Getting in and out was often tricky, there might only be one or two chargers available, and every site had its own way of handling invoices. It just wasn’t sustainable for the scale we were working at.”

With Calibre moving up to three thousand new buses every year across the country, the company needed a more reliable, standardised and scalable charging solution, one that could match its operational tempo and support its customers’ shift to electric transport.

First Charge: A nationwide charging network built for large electric vehicles

First Charge, part of First Bus, offers commercial operators access to a nationwide network of high-capacity charging depots, built for buses, coaches, HGVs and other large vehicles.

Andy Gwilliam, Head of Product at First Charge, said: “Over the past few years, at First Bus we’ve made significant investments to electrify depots as part of our journey to fully decarbonise our fleet. Through First Charge, we’re now opening up this charging infrastructure to other organisations, making it easier for businesses like Calibre to access reliable, large-vehicle charging right across the UK.”

For Calibre, the partnership meant access to 14 of First Charge’s 15 operational sites, strategically located near key ports, OEMs and delivery corridors. Each site offers multiple charging bays, high-power infrastructure and secure access, with on-site support from depot staff.

Andy said: “Our buses are out in service from early in the morning until late in the evening, which meant that during the day our depots were virtually empty, and our charging infrastructure was sitting unused, making it ideal for customers like Calibre to come and charge their vehicles.”

“Our depots are purpose-built to charge large fleets of double-deckers simultaneously, so there’s ample capacity, high-power charging and no congestion.”

Onboarding is quick and simple. Customers can sign up directly with First Charge and receive their RFID cards and site briefing information through an online portal within a couple of days, giving them immediate access to the network.

Alternatively, they can join through First Charge partners Allstar or Paua, using their existing roaming cards and payment arrangements to charge at any First Charge site.

In the first year of collaboration, Calibre has charged over 300 vehicles across the First Charge network, drawing around 72 megawatt-hours (MWh) of Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) backed renewable energy. Under the REGO scheme, every unit of electricity delivered through First Charge is matched with energy generated from certified renewable sources, providing full traceability and supporting customers’ sustainability goals.

Multiple vehicles can charge simultaneously, eliminating downtime and keeping delivery schedules tight. “The network has proved reliable, consistent and easy to use,” adds Andy. “It’s helping set the standard for commercial charging in the UK.”

Operational efficiency, simpler processes and lower carbon emissions

For Calibre, the operational and environmental benefits have been immediate and tangible. “Operationally, it’s a game-changer,” says Giles. “The depots are designed for buses; big, open spaces where we can move vehicles safely and efficiently. On a typical day, we can plug in eight buses at once, which simply wouldn’t be possible anywhere else.”

Drivers also benefit from the welcoming environment. “The team on site make it easy. There’s always someone present to assist when needed, and they are always supportive and accommodating. Our drivers are able to use the facilities at the sites, which is really helpful, and get back on the road knowing the vehicles are fully charged and ready to go.”

Beyond operations, the partnership is simplifying Calibre’s back-office processes too. “One point of invoicing makes things a lot easier,” Giles notes. “We’ve got a direct contact at First Charge, which means queries are handled quickly and there’s a real sense of partnership.”

The collaboration also helps reduce carbon emissions for Calibre’s customers, who now benefit from an end-to-end electric delivery chain. “Previously, new electric buses were often moved by diesel low-loaders,” Giles explains. “Now, we can deliver them fully charged and under their own power, which makes the whole process cleaner, quicker and more sustainable.”

“It’s not just helping Calibre,” he adds. “It’s helping everyone in the chain, from manufacturers to operators, by keeping the process greener and more efficient.”

For more information on First Charge visit the website.