Paua and First Bus staff are all smiles over the pioneering collaboration
Paua, the UK’s foremost provider of electric vehicle charging solutions for business fleets, has unveiled a landmark partnership with First Bus – one of Britain’s most forward-thinking public transport operators. This collaboration marks a significant step in the evolution of commercial EV charging, as it introduces the concept of shared access to First Bus depots for third-party fleet operators via Paua’s integrated platform.
First Bus, with a fleet of over 5500 buses, has long been at the forefront of the UK’s transition to zero-emission transport. The company has made bold investments in electrifying its depots and was among the first to open these facilities to external fleets. Now, by teaming up with Paua, it’s expanding this progressive approach – offering semi-private charging infrastructure through a single, easy-to-use platform known as Paua Share.
Through this initiative, Paua customers operating commercial fleets – particularly larger electric vans and trucks – will gain access to 11 strategically located depots across the UK. These sites feature high-powered chargers ranging from 150kW to 350kW, all powered by renewable energy. The move not only enhances nationwide operational flexibility but also improves uptime for commercial EVs, addressing one of the key limitations facing larger fleet operators.
Paua Share represents a major innovation in shared charging infrastructure, delivering cost-effective, secure and scalable charging at depots designed for commercial vehicle needs. It’s a response to growing demand for practical solutions to support the UK’s electrification ambitions.
Niall Riddell, Paua’s CEO and Co-founder, hailed the partnership as a “game-changing step towards building Europe’s lowest-cost commercial fleet charging network,” with ambitions to scale shared depot access across the continent.
Echoing this sentiment, Faizan Ahmad, First Bus’s Director of Decarbonisation, added: “Opening up our depot network unlocks immense potential to accelerate the shift to zero-emission fleets, while making better use of our infrastructure. This collaboration is a model for a more integrated, low-carbon transport future.”
The launch of Paua Share comes as recent AFP research reveals that 58% of UK van fleets would be open to sharing their charging infrastructure. With Paua’s new solution, that possibility is now a reality – available to all fleets – furthering the UK's drive toward sustainable, collaborative fleet management.
