The UK’s first bus depot to offer consumer electric vehicle (EV) charging is now open to the public, at First Bus’ new purpose-built hub at Summercourt depot in Cornwall.

The Summercourt charging hub is the 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 easily accessible in a key location along the A30 corridor, a key tourist route into Cornwall, helping ease electric vehicle drivers’ EV range anxiety as they travel through the county.

The new site can also play a key role in supporting the local region’s transition to electric vehicles to help cut emissions and provide cleaner air for the local communities.

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 for years to come.

The chargers at Summercourt are also available for local businesses to use, following the successful model by First Bus in Glasgow and Leicester, where companies such as Open Reach, DPD and Police Scotland benefit from the use of the operator’s infrastructure to support their own transition to EV fleets.