With more than 1,300 electric vehicles now in operation, First Bus has confronted the realities of depot charging infrastructure, grid capacity constraints and complex operational logistics. In this Q&A, Gwilliam outlines the practical lessons learned, the importance of cross-sector collaboration, and why electrification is fundamentally a whole-system transformation rather than a simple vehicle replacement programme.

Public transport electrification is accelerating. From First Bus’s perspective, what is the biggest hurdle operators face today?

“Electrification is no longer a pilot concept, it’s operational reality. First Bus now operates more than 1,300 electric vehicles across the UK, and that scale changes your perspective. The biggest hurdle today is no longer vehicle technology; it’s infrastructure readiness and grid capacity.

“Vehicles and chargers have matured significantly. What slows progress is securing sufficient electrical power at depots, navigating long connection lead times, and funding the upfront infrastructure investment. These are multi-year, multi-stakeholder challenges involving distribution network operators, local authorities and internal operational teams.

“Electrification is a systems change. It requires aligning engineering, operations, finance and planning around a fundamentally different energy model. Once you cross that threshold from being “a diesel operator with some EVs” to becoming EV-centric, decision-making shifts. But getting to that point requires confidence in infrastructure resilience.”

What lessons have you learned about scaling depot charging infrastructure?

“One of the biggest lessons is to design for the future, not just for the first tranche of vehicles. Grid connections, low-voltage installations and civil works should anticipate expansion wherever possible.

“Another key learning is that utilisation matters. Charging infrastructure is capital intensive. At First Charge, we’ve opened 15 of our electrified depots to third-party fleets, rising to 19 locations later in 2026. Sharing infrastructure improves asset utilisation and helps reduce total cost of ownership for everyone involved.

“We’ve also learned that operational planning must be integrated from day one. Charger placement, cable management, vehicle dispatch patterns and maintenance access all influence long-term efficiency. Retrofitting can be done successfully, but early cross-functional collaboration saves time and cost.”

How can operators plan effectively for power capacity and growing charging demand?

“Early engagement with network operators is critical. Grid connection timelines can exceed vehicle procurement timelines, so infrastructure planning must start first.

“Energy management systems are equally important. Smart charging, load balancing and careful sequencing of charging windows help optimise available capacity. For bus operations in particular, duty cycles are predictable, which is an advantage. Overnight charging windows can be planned with precision.

“There is also an opportunity to think more holistically. Clustering different users around high-capacity connections, for example buses charging overnight and other commercial fleets during the day, improves utilisation and resilience. Shared infrastructure models can help overcome some of the economic barriers to investment.”

How do you align public transport electrification with local infrastructure planning?

“Strong partnership with local authorities and distribution network operators has been essential. Electrification affects not just depots but wider urban energy planning.

“By aligning fleet rollout with local decarbonisation strategies and air quality ambitions, projects gain momentum and community support. In many cases, public funding mechanisms have catalysed investment, but long-term success depends on coordinated planning across transport and energy systems.

“We’ve found that transparency and data sharing help align expectations around power demand growth and infrastructure timelines.”

How do you balance charging schedules with reliable service delivery?

“The key is integration between operations and engineering. Electric buses require a different mindset around vehicle allocation and contingency planning.

“Modern battery performance has exceeded many early expectations. We are now seeing battery warranties extending up to 15 years in some parts of the market, reflecting significant advances in technology and manufacturing. That level of confidence supports long-term fleet planning.

“Charging schedules are built around duty cycles, with resilience built in. Redundancy in chargers, careful sequencing, and live monitoring systems all support reliability. Ultimately, passengers must experience the same, or better, service reliability as before.”

What common misconceptions do operators have at the start of their electrification journey?

“One misconception is viewing electrification purely as a vehicle replacement exercise. It is a whole-business transition. It affects maintenance regimes, training, depot layout, finance structures and even corporate culture.

“Another mistake is underestimating infrastructure lead times. As I’ve already mentioned, vehicles can often be procured more quickly than grid connections can be delivered. Finally, some assume charging must be entirely self-contained. In reality, collaborative infrastructure models can de-risk early adoption and reduce capital exposure.”

What developments will have the biggest impact over the next three to five years?

“Battery longevity and energy density improvements will continue to strengthen the business case. We are entering a phase where battery lifecycle may outlast the vehicle itself, which has implications for financing and asset strategy.

“On the infrastructure side, smarter energy management and better integration with local grids will be critical. Strategic co-location of high-capacity charging hubs serving multiple fleet types will likely become more common.

“From a strategic perspective, scaling shared charging models such as First Charge will help accelerate adoption beyond buses into freight and other heavy vehicles.”

The UK Charging Infrastructure Symposium will take place on 4-5 March 2026 at the British Motor Museum. Book your delegate pass today by clicking here.