London tour buses to undergo Equipmake EV retrofit

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【Summary】Equipmake, a UK electrification specialist, has signed a contract with Big Bus Tours in London to convert a fleet of 10 open-top tour buses from diesel to fully electric. The electric buses will be fitted with 327kWh batteries, offering a range of 120 miles. By retrofitting the buses, Big Bus Tours will save 90 tonnes of embedded CO2 per vehicle and benefit from cost savings compared to purchasing new electric buses. The first converted vehicle is expected to enter service in Q1 2024.

FutureCar Staff Sep 29, 2023 11:21 PM PT

London tour buses to undergo Equipmake EV retrofit

Equipmake, a UK electrification specialist, has recently signed a contract with London's Big Bus Tours to convert a fleet of 10 open-top tour buses from diesel to fully electric. The Ankai buses will be equipped with 327kWh batteries, allowing them to travel up to 120 miles on a single charge. These buses will be used for the daily sightseeing routes around London's historic sites, with the first vehicle 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 commitment to sustainability. He highlighted the benefits of repowering, stating that by choosing to retrofit their buses instead of purchasing new electric ones, Big Bus Tours will not only contribute to achieving net-zero targets and improving local air quality but also save significant operating costs compared to buying new buses.

Equipmake estimates that by retrofitting the buses, Big Bus Tours will save 90 tonnes of embedded CO2 per converted vehicle. Additionally, the cost of each conversion is claimed to be less than half the price of a new electric bus. The company also suggests that operators can make substantial savings by converting internal combustion engine vehicles once they reach approximately halfway through their scheduled service life.

Gerry Price, executive vice president at Big Bus Tours, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with Equipmake and their shared commitment to sustainability. He believes that through innovations like this, they will contribute to improving the air quality in the capital and provide tourists with an even more enjoyable experience.

Equipmake's Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED), which will be used on the tour buses, has already been implemented on London's iconic Routemasters. These electrified buses, introduced for trials in November 2022, feature a 400kWh battery with a range of 150 miles while in service.