First Bus scales smart charging to 172 outlets at Glasgow depot after trial

First Bus has expanded Optimo Energy's smart charging platform from 34 to 172 outlets at its Caledonia depot in Glasgow, one of the UK's largest bus sites. The depot manages a potential 12 MW charging load within a 5 MW grid connection, using dynamic scheduling to meet fleet needs and sell surplus capacity back to the grid. Earlier in 2026, First Bus became the first UK bus operator to enrol an electric depot in the National Grid balancing mechanism.

Why it matters: The project demonstrates how depot operators can deploy large scale smart charging infrastructure within constrained grid connections, a common challenge for fleet electrification. The integration of energy market participation alongside operational charging shows a revenue model that may inform future depot procurement and business case planning.