The UK’s first smart charging trial for electric buses has begun in Glasgow, with plans to expand to the First Bus depot in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, shortly.

The trial is being conducted in collaboration with Optimo Energy and their platform that enables operators to optimise charging in response to real-time grid signals while making sure the electric buses are also ready for service when needed, says Electrive. First Bus is one of the largest electric bus operators in the UK, with a fleet of over 1400 electric vehicles.

Daniel Homoki-Farkas, CEO and co-founder of Optimo, said:

“Electric fleets like First Bus’s represent a significant opportunity to support the UK’s transition to a more flexible energy system. By intelligently managing when vehicles charge, operators can respond to real-time grid needs, helping to reduce renewable energy curtailment, lower system costs, and unlock new value from existing infrastructure.”

First Bus says the trial will also “explore how depots can participate in additional energy flexibility markets, creating potential new revenue streams while supporting the wider transition to net zero.”

Beyond smart charging, electric bus services represent significant potential grid assets in that they can also feed energy back into the grid in times of great demand.

While there is no mention of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) in the First Bus trial, smart charging – charging when renewable energy production is highest and cheapest – is the first step towards V2G, when electric vehicle batteries can also feed energy back into the grid.

(Picture: First Bus)