Case study

First Bus Taunton depot electrification

A £1.7M, multi-phase project to future-proof the Taunton depot with EV charging, groundworks, mechanical and electrical (M&E) upgrades, and office refurb – enabling First Bus to move towards a fully electric fleet.

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The challenge

First Bus is on a mission to operate a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035, requiring major upgrades across its depots. The Taunton site needed a complete electrification overhaul to accommodate 26 new electric buses, ensuring smooth operations while aligning with the company’s sustainability targets. 

This project wasn’t just about installing EV chargers - our team had to deliver extensive groundwork, steel fabrication, electrical installations, shopfitting, and mechanical works. Additionally, the depot’s office and welfare spaces needed modernisation to support a growing electric fleet. 

First Bus needed a contractor with the expertise to execute such a large-scale transition while ensuring minimal disruption to operations.

The solution

As a Bristol-based engineering firm with nearly four decades of experience, we were selected as the main contractor to lead the £1.7 million project. We deployed a full range of in-house engineering services, ensuring efficiency and seamless integration across all disciplines.

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Between November 2024 and April 2025, we delivered: 

  • EV Charging Infrastructure – Installing high-capacity chargers to support 26 new electric buses. 
  • Groundworks & Steel Fabrication – Strengthening depot infrastructure to accommodate new systems. 
  • Electrical & Mechanical Upgrades – Enhancing the depot’s capacity to handle increased energy demand. 
  • Office & Welfare Space Modernisation – Improving working conditions for depot staff. 

By integrating these key elements, we ensured First Bus could smoothly transition to electric operations while future-proofing the depot for years.

The impact

Completing the Taunton depot electrification marks a significant landmark in First Bus’s sustainability journey and our business growth. 

For First Bus, this project is key in their commitment to a net-zero fleet. It directly supports the UK-wide rollout of 178 zero-emission buses. The upgraded depot now ensures reliable charging infrastructure, helping reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cutting emissions in the local community. 

For us at UES, this project represents one of the largest in our history, contributing 30% of our annual turnover. It also reinforces our expertise in delivering large-scale, sustainable engineering solutions. As we continue to electrify our fleet and expand our renewables division, this project is a testament to our ability to lead on major infrastructure upgrades. 

 

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