AI Takes the Wheel in Britain’s Bus Depots

An algorithmic charging system promises cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable public transport

30 Jun 2025

Charging electric buses may seem straightforward, but it is becoming an increasingly tricky business. Britain’s Go-Ahead Group, one of the country’s largest bus operators, is betting that artificial intelligence can make it simpler and cheaper. In June, the company launched what it claims is Europe’s largest AI-managed charging system, in partnership with BetterFleet, a technology firm.

The system, already active at more than 20 depots across Britain, uses predictive analytics to schedule when buses top up their batteries. It aims to avoid expensive peak grid times, ease pressure on local power networks, and ensure that buses are charged and ready to leave on schedule. Predictive models identify upcoming demand surges and stagger charging start times, smoothing out depot power consumption.

A key selling point is its hands-off operation. Dubbed “set and forget,” the system removes the need for manual oversight, letting depot managers focus on dispatching vehicles rather than monitoring charging cables.

Such optimisation is central to Transport for London’s ambition of running a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2034. Go-Ahead hopes the platform’s software-as-a-service model will allow other operators to electrify their fleets without expensive new infrastructure.

Yet, integrating AI into sprawling and varied bus depots is not without difficulty. Depots host a mix of vehicle models with different battery capacities, and older facilities often lack modern power connections. AI may adjust for these factors, but physical constraints remain.

Even so, the rise of electric public transport has made smart charging indispensable. Algorithms cannot fix grid limitations, but they may buy valuable breathing space as Britain’s cities turn away from diesel.