London tour buses to receive Equipmake EV retrofit

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【Summary】Equipmake has signed a contract with Big Bus Tours in London to convert their fleet of 10 open-top tour buses from diesel to fully electric. The retrofitted buses will be equipped with 327kWh batteries, offering a range of 120 miles. This move is expected to save 90 tonnes of embedded CO2 per converted vehicle and cost less than half of purchasing new electric buses. The first converted bus will be in service by Q1 2024.

FutureCar Staff Oct 01, 2023 9:24 AM PT

London tour buses to receive Equipmake EV retrofit

Equipmake, a UK electrification specialist, has secured a contract with Big Bus Tours in London to convert a fleet of 10 open-top tour buses from diesel to fully electric. The Ankai buses will be equipped with 327kWh batteries, offering a range of 120 miles, sufficient for the buses' daily sightseeing routes in the city. The first converted vehicle is expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2024.

Equipmake CEO Ian Foley expressed his excitement about partnering with Big Bus Tours and their shared commitment to sustainability. He highlighted the advantages of repowering, emphasizing that by choosing to retrofit, Big Bus Tours can achieve net-zero targets, improve local air quality, and save significant operating costs compared to purchasing new electric buses.

The retrofitting process is estimated to save 90 tonnes of embedded CO2 per converted vehicle. Additionally, each conversion costs less than half the price of a new electric bus, providing substantial savings for operators. Equipmake also suggests that converting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles once they reach approximately halfway through their scheduled service life can result in significant savings.

Gerry Price, executive vice president at Big Bus Tours, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Equipmake and the opportunity to transition their fleet to zero emissions. He emphasized the positive impact on air quality in the capital and the enhanced experience for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who use their sightseeing services annually.

Equipmake's Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED), which will be used in the tour buses, has already been successfully implemented in London's iconic Routemasters. The electrified Routemaster, introduced for trials in November 2022, features a 400kWh battery and offers a range of 150 miles during service.