NewPower, which has moved into a factory in Bicester, Oxfordshire, aims to accelerate the decarbonisation process by swapping powertrains in older fleets at a substantially lower price than buying a new bus.

Wrightbus will utilise the skills of its 1,800-strong workforce, including master technicians, to carry out the work.

Hailed as affordable decarbonisation, it is hoped that operators with mid-life bus fleets but without the funding for new zero-emission buses can take advantage of the instant sustainability switch.

Engineers say the conversion can take three weeks and have space for teams to work on six buses at any one time, offering the potential to decarbonise 500 buses a year.

Initially creating 22 jobs but with 65 staff expected on site by the end of the year, the announcement from Wrightbus follows a record-breaking start to 2024 which has seen the Northern Ireland business named as the fastest-growing large manufacturer in the UK and the fastest-growing bus-maker in Europe.

Jean-Marc Gales, Wrightbus CEO said, “While we are selling new hydrogen and battery-electric buses all over the world there is a huge market of mid-life buses which, once converted, can have an immediate impact on helping to improve air quality in towns and cities up and down the UK.

“We have long been recognised as the world-leading manufacturer of both hydrogen and battery-electric buses and now NewPower will add another string to our bow.”

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Specifically designed for London, the Chinese manufacturer plans to introduce a provincial version of the bus to follow soon after.

The BD11 features BYD’s Blade Battery, which the manufacturer says provides exceptional range, performance, and fast charging capabilities with a battery capacity of up to 532kWh.

It also offers flexible and rapid charging options, supporting dual-gun charging and pantograph fast charging up to 500kW, which means the vehicle can be recharged from 0 to 100% in two hours.

The battery is integrated into the chassis to save weight, increase driving range, and improve stability and manoeuvrability, while also increasing interior space for passengers.

In addition, the BYD BD11 is equipped with an integrated thermal management system to optimise energy utilisation.

BYD has developed its own powertrain systems, power batteries, automotive semiconductors, motors and motor controller systems.

Frank Thorpe, Managing Director, BYD UK Commercial Vehicles said, “BYD is committed to technological innovation and spearheading the global transition towards eco-conscious public transportation.

“The BYD BD11 will play a pivotal role in contributing to the reduction of air pollution in London and, soon after, the UK’s wider carbon neutrality goals.

“We are proud to launch our own all-new electric double decker bus with highly innovative, world-leading technology for safe and reliable electric mobility, providing operators with modern eco-friendly eBus options that meet their specifications, thus providing more people the choice to use clean, non-polluting bus services in the future.”

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Manufactured by Wrightbus in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, the Electroliner GB Kite single-deck vehicle has 38 seats and includes a 454kwh battery pack.

The shuttle service has been operated by Oxford Bus Company since 2020 and connects Bicester Village Station and Bicester North Station to each other, as well as a direct connection to the village as part of the service.

Jointly funded by Value Retail and Chiltern Railways, it operates 364 days per year, whenever Bicester Village is open, to provide a sustainable mode of transport for visitors and staff.

Oxford Bus Company was recently awarded a further three-year contract to operate the shuttle service and the additional Park & Ride bus service, which serves Bicester Village on busier shopping days, until April 2027.

Earlier this year it was announced that Oxford will host the biggest fleet of electric buses in the UK, outside London.

The £82.5 million project will deliver 159 new battery-powered buses into service in Oxford and fund two associated electric charging hubs at the city’s bus depots.

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, said, “It is fantastic to see our relationship with Bicester Village and Chiltern Railways go from strength to strength based on shared values and a commitment to providing joined-up, sustainable travel solutions.

“The investment in launching an electric vehicle into the shuttle service is another exciting step forward in the partnership for the greater benefit of visitors to Bicester Village and the wider community.”

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The zero-emission Enviro400EVs, which are 11.1m long and 4.2m high, will enter service on Oxford city services in the coming months.

This will enable the full electrification of local routes in the Oxford Smart Zone – a joint initiative between Stagecoach and partners Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford Bus Company, supported by UK Government funding.

They have capacity for 83 passengers, including 69 on comfortable high-backed seats with USB-A and USB-C charging ports. Two wheelchair spaces are provided.

While installation of charging infrastructure continues at Stagecoach’s new Network Oxford site, driver training will begin shortly ahead of a launch into service later this spring.

The Enviro400EV has recently been confirmed to have a theoretical energy consumption of 0.67kWh/km over the Zemo Partnership’s UK Bus Cycle.

Alexander Dennis’s engineers have achieved this benchmark result by combining the heavy-duty version of the Voith Electrical Drive System with a future-proof battery system from Impact Clean Power Technology storing 472kWh of energy.

Paul Davies, President & Managing Director for Alexander Dennis, said, “The delivery of our first next-generation electric bus in the United Kingdom is a milestone in the roll-out of our new product range and we’re delighted to be marking this moment with our launch customer Stagecoach.

“These buses will be driving value through efficiency with class-leading energy consumption as well as through their future-proof battery system which is designed to last a 20-year life of a double deck bus in provincial operation with just one change of batteries.”

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Official assessments undertaken at UTAC using the ZEMO-accredited Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) test showed that the Electronlier achieved a result of 0.69 kWh/km. According to ULEB calculations, the StreetDeck Electroliner also produces 86% less CO2 per km than the ZEMO Euro-6 diesel baseline.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO at Wrightbus, said: “This is another significant deal for Wrightbus and we are delighted to once again be partnering with Arriva in the drive to zero-emission public transport. “Arriva, like us, is consistently on the forefront of new and exciting technology, and zero-emission travel. “This latest deal further strengthens the reputation we have forged in the zero-emission transport sector and will help play an important part in the UK’s ambitions for decarbonisation. “We can’t wait to see even more of our buses in operation in London, which will help passengers enjoy comfortable and cleaner transport.”

Marcos Hart, Managing Director London at Arriva UK Bus, said: “Ordering these new vehicles represents a fantastic milestone on our journey to making our bus network across London even greener. “The zero-emission fleet from Wrightbus will help us to continue delivering the high-performing and sustainable public transport network that our customers deserve.”

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The vehicle, launched in 2021, has been on a UK-wide tour, including in London previously, to give bus operators and local authorities the chance to see it in action and showcase its capabilities.

Dozens of Wrightbus’s EVs are set to be rolled out across the capital after the firm also secured new orders with Arriva and Abellio last year.

Official assessments undertaken at the UTAC Millbrook test track using the ZEMO-accredited Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) test showed that the Electroliner achieved a result of 0.69kWh/km.

Chris McKeown, Go-Ahead London’s Engineering Director, said, “As the UK’s largest and most experienced electric bus operator, we are working with Transport for London and our innovative supply chain to deliver a sustainable, zero-emission future for the capital’s iconic red buses.

“Go-Ahead London has a long association with Wrightbus and I welcome the opportunity to trial the StreetDeck Electroliner, which we will robustly evaluate over the coming months.”

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO at Wrightbus, said, “We’re looking forward to seeing the world’s most efficient double deck EV bus on the streets of London to show everyone what it is capable of. We’re confident both our customers and passengers will enjoy the experience.

“Innovation and technology is at the core of everything we do. We are the only manufacturer in Europe to offer a complete suite of zero-emission buses, with both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell single and double decks.”

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The purchase has been supported by the Scottish Government’s ScotZEB challenge fund and the vehicles are expected to be allocated to operating companies in Scotland in the first half of 2024.

Powered by the Voith Electrical Drive System, the energy stored in its 354kWh batteries gives it a range of up to 285 miles.

Its battery system was developed for Alexander Dennis by its partner Impact Clean Power Technology.

Particular attention has been paid to making it future-proof by allowing easy battery replacement with newer batteries in later life without a need for vehicle modifications.

The Enviro100EV, which is 8.5m long and 2.35m wide, seats up to 25 passengers.

Sam Greer, Chief Operating Officer for Stagecoach, said, “Acquiring the new Enviro100EV reaffirms our commitment to our customers experience while also bringing us a step closer to realising our goal of being fully Net Zero by 2050.

“Having been involved with these battery-electric buses from the concept phase, we are sure they will establish themselves as a long-serving staple of the Stagecoach fleet.”

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director, said, “These next-generation electric buses will be versatile assets for Stagecoach, their expansive range and diminutive road footprint making them equally suited to narrow town streets as winding country lanes.

“It’s a significant technical challenge packaging 354kWh of battery capacity and up to 285 miles of range into such a small vehicle but our engineers have pulled out the Top Trump card once again.”

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The orders consist of 24 single-deck fully electric GB Kite Electroliners and 56 double-deck StreetDeck Electroliners which will be rolled out across the capital in 2024, operated by Abellio on behalf of Transport for London.

These new-look 2024 Kites come with several safety features to make them compliant with TfL’s bus safety standards, including front and nearside blindspot warnings, tyre pressure monitoring system, automated emergency braking system, and dynamic stability test.

The deal also takes Abellio’s total order of StreetDeck Electroliners with Wrightbus to more than 100.

Official assessments undertaken at UTAC Millbrook using the ZEMO-accredited Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) test showed that the Electronlier achieved a result of 0.69 kWh/km.

Also, the bus interiors have been designed in partnership with Abellio to provide increased comfort for customers.

They are fitted with Lazzerini high back seats throughout, and a wood-effect floor adds to the design. USB chargers and mobile phone holders in the seats mean passengers can work or relax more easily.

Priority seats feature a contrasting colour scheme, and the vehicles also have a larger wheelchair and buggy area, improving accessibility.

The buses are being manufactured at the Wrightbus headquarters in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Jon Eardley, Managing Director of Abellio, said, “Abellio sits at the forefront of EV bus technology in London, leading the way with the introduction of zero-emission buses across our six London depots.

“We are proud to support Transport for London and the Mayor of London’s goals to decarbonise London’s streets.

“Abellio’s investment in state-of-the-art EV fleet and comprehensive infrastructure has already provided millions of customers with comfortable, cleaner, and greener journeys.”

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MTR Corporation provides Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway urban rail system including a network of feeder bus services, for which it operates a fleet of 172 buses. Most of these have been supplied by Alexander Dennis from its Enviro200, Enviro400 and Enviro500 vehicle ranges.

The new fleet of zero-emission buses will be delivered throughout 2025 and 2026. The Enviro500EV has been fully designed in-house by Alexander Dennis’s engineering team as part of the manufacturer’s next generation of zero-emission buses.

Its 472kWh batteries are supplied by Impact Clean Power Technology to a future-proof design that allows for upgrades to benefit from advances in battery technology without structural modifications. Power is transmitted through the heavy-duty Voith Electrical Drive System, which at 410kW peak and 310kW continuous output has ample reserves to cope with Hong Kong’s topography.

The buses have up to 82 seats and have a total capacity for 117 passengers.

Andy Boulton, Managing Director Asia Pacific for Alexander Dennis, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the MTR Corporation as partner for the transition to zero-emission bus services.

“Our Enviro500EV has been designed from the ground up for the demands of Hong Kong’s world class transport system, ensuring that this transformational investment in cleaner transport will deliver for the MTR Corporation.”

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The Volvo B5TL buses that have been identified for the pilot will be repowered using Kleanbus’ modular electric platform featuring an optimised battery size to perfectly suit its duty cycle without overburdening the vehicle with unnecessary weight, which would otherwise waste energy.

The Kleanbus repower programme begins with a full base vehicle evaluation and analysis of operator duty cycles, enabling a conceptual drivetrain to be modelled and validated through simulation.

In parallel, the diesel engine and all associated systems are removed. The packaging space is fully CAD scanned and digitised to create a bespoke electric e-drivetrain in a box platform that perfectly fits the engine compartment. Once prototypes are created, they are subjected to a rigorous test and validation programme ahead of certification.

Lothian recently published ‘Driving towards Net Zero’, a document which outlined its objective of a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035, with repowering playing a key role.

Colin Barnes, Engineering Director, Lothian said, “Repowering has a vital role to play in our Driving towards Net Zero strategy as we transition to an all-zero emission fleet.

“Lothian is committed to bolstering the efforts of the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council to enhance local air quality.

“Working with Kleanbus to upcycle current diesel buses to electric helps us to accelerate our transition to a more environmentally friendly transportation network at pace and accelerate our net zero plan.”

Joe Tighe, Co-founder, and CEO of Kleanbus, said, “Our technology is an ideal solution for quick, cost-effective, and optimum use of resources.

“Upcycling is the most environmentally friendly solution to transform a current diesel fleet as it avoids unnecessary scrappage.”

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The 22 Wrightbus Streetdeck Electroliners will be the city’s first electric double-decks as well as Arriva’s first electric double-decks outside London.

They can each carry about 90 passengers and have a range of around 200 miles with a recharge time of two hours 45 minutes.

The vehicles also have enhanced specifications to improve the customer experience such as better onboard lighting, digital customer information screens and USB charging points.

The first of the zero-emission vehicles was delivered in September for driver-training.

Arriva UK Bus and Leicester City Council made a successful joint bid through the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme to unlock the £11 million worth of investment required to purchase the new buses.

Work is being completed at Arriva’s Thurmaston depot to install chargers and infrastructure for the battery-electric fleet and engineers are being trained about the zero-emission vehicles.

Alistair Hands, Managing Director for Arriva, said, “Welcoming the new Wrightbus electric fleet into Leicester is a game-changing moment in our continued drive to operating a greener, decarbonised bus network.

“It’s our aim to make Arriva UK Bus the best choice for passengers and we know our customers value our progressive attitude towards decarbonising public transport.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Arriva once again in accelerating its investment in the electrification of its bus fleet and in the drive to zero-emission public transport in the industry.

“All of the buses will be built in Ballymena in Northern Ireland, lending further support to the wider regional economy and allowing us to create green jobs as we continue in our growth.”

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The bus operator is preparing to receive 70 new electric buses from Northern Ireland-based manufacturer Wrightbus, scheduled to arrive between Autumn 2023 and March 2024.

It means that more than half of the Norwich network operated by First Bus will be electric – over 60%  of all bus journeys through Castle Meadow in the city centre.

By working together with Norfolk County Council an investment of £14.7m has been secured from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) government funding, alongside capital investment of about £22.5m from First Bus.

Each electric bus will save up to 60 tonnes of tailpipe emissions per year.

Piers Marlow, Managing Director at First Bus Eastern Counties said,  ”This is an exciting project that will make a significant improvement to the journey experience for our customers and to the local environment with the arrival of 11 single deck and 59 double deck EV buses.

“A major transformation of our depot has started, and we are working closely with the site construction team to minimise any disruption to our day-to-day requirements to operate bus services efficiently.

“There are exciting times ahead for public transport in Norwich, and I am pleased that First Bus are leading the way and part of this extremely important partnership with Norfolk County Council. Their commitment and focus on improving bus provision in the area is commendable”.

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Zenobē will provide public transport operator National Express, the UK’s leading transport operator, with eight electric double-deckers on the Bristol-Glastonbury route, transporting music-lovers to the festivals gates in Somerset

As well as zero-emission buses, Zenobē will set up a pop-up charging station enabling National Express to charge the vehicles close to where they are needed instead of travelling to a central bus depot.

For the temporary hub, Zenobē will provide four fast DC chargers and a Powerskid made from second-life batteries.  The facilities are needed to help every National Express electric bus to travel up to 173 miles over the festival weekend, making three trips a day, and saving 348kg of carbon emissions compared with diesel alternatives.

Hailing an industry first, Zenobē and National Express assert that, in contrast to petrol or diesel vehicles, electric buses do not produce carbon dioxide at the tailpipe or release harmful emissions,

Backing up the partners’ green proposition is Zenobē’s Powerskid device, made from second-life batteries.  Previously powering EVs, the refurbished batteries will provide clean and portable power to charge the buses up, replacing a diesel generator, at the same time demonstrating the value of a circular economy based on re-use of materials.

Zenobē says Powerskid directly addresses one of the biggest barriers to the electrification of festival transport, often to venues in remote locations. Enabling temporary charging means that electrified transport is no longer constrained by existing fixed charging infrastructure.  The firm takes pride in creating a prototype for other festivals and large-scale events.

The partnership builds on a pre-existing relationship. In February last year, Zenobē agreed to provide 130 electric buses for National Express to operate in Coventry.

Zenobē supports the transport concern’s aim to operate a completely zero-emission bus fleet by 2030 and a clean coach fleet by 2035.

Zenobē co-founder Steven Meersman said:  “This summer we’re providing the first sustainable bus route to what is arguably the world’s most iconic music festival, and we’re pleased to be partnering with National Express to reach another milestone together.

“We’ve paired two of Zenobē’s unique offers: second-life EV batteries and our Electric Transport as-a-Service platform, to enable National Express to easily and affordably access an electric bus fleet and conveniently charge it near to the festival site”.

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The 30-mile Orbital service will operate from Leicester General Hospital, and use an initial fleet of six Yutong electric buses that feature on-board displays, real time information and contactless ticketing.

This will connect estates and suburbs on the city’s outer ring road and beyond, with locations such as shopping centres, hospitals, employment areas and other key transport infrastructure.

The partnership project, with operator Centrebus, also includes a new electric bus charging depot at the firm’s Thurmaston depot.

These electric buses and charging depot have been partially funded (£1.21m) by the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme and combine to make the first ZEBRA funded project to be delivered in the country.

The new service replaces the 40 Circleline service and will come into operation on October 24.

Leicester City Council has invested £2.11m in the project, with the aim of removing a predicted 177 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year and reducing operational costs by more than £60,000 a year.

Cllr Adam Clarke, Leicester deputy city mayor for transport, clean air and climate emergency, said, “The Orbital route is a very well-used service, and switching over to the latest electric vehicles means another significant part of the city’s public transport system will now benefit from cleaner, more modern buses.”

David Brookes, director of Centrebus, said: “We have worked closely with our colleagues at the city council to introduce these state-of-the-art electric buses to the newly-named Orbital route.”

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Developed as part of the Advanced Propulsion Centre-funded CELEB (Cost Effective Low Entry Bus) project – in which Equipmake has led multiple international partners over the last three years – the objective of the program is to deliver a cost-effective bus designed for the South American market.

Working with Brazilian bus manufacturer Agrale and Argentinian coachbuilder Todo Bus, Equipmake has developed, from the ground-up, an electric version of the Agrale MT17.0LE single decker, installing its own Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED).

This modular and scaleable battery drivetrain, developed at Equipmake’s HQ in Snetterton, is the same technology also used in Equipmake’s new London-specification bus, the double decker Jewel E.

Edson Martins, Commercial Director of Agrale, said: “Agrale is a leading provider of urban passenger transportation in Argentina, and with this new bus we will be able to build on our already strong position.

“Improving urban air quality is a global problem; we’re excited to be at the cutting edge of a solution.”

The Agrale MT17.0LE project features a bespoke Equipmake ZED with a 318kWh lithium-ion battery, Equipmake’s own HTM 3500 electric motor – producing 3,500 Nm torque at 1,000rpm and 400kW maximum power, seamlessly integrated into the prop shaft without the need for a separate transmission – and a Semikron SKAI inverter.

Over the last 12 months, Equipmake’s engineering team has put the new bus through an extensive durability programme in and around Norfolk, with thousands of test miles completed on proving grounds, city centres (including Norwich) and on motorways.

From this robust test programme, Equipmake estimates the new electric Agrale MT17.0LE will have a range of up to 150 miles – more than enough for a day’s use in Buenos Aires.

When the battery is depleted at the end of a complete duty cycle, it can be recharged at the depot overnight via a CSS2 DC charging point.

The Equipmake ZED-powered Agrale MT17.0LE, a 12m single deck model capable of carrying 70 passengers, will be operated over the next 12 months by DOTA S.A., the largest bus operator in Buenos Aires.

Following the successful completion of the trial, the objective is for mass manufacture to begin in Buenos Aires with Agrale and Todo Bus, using licenced Equipmake ZED technology.

Ian Foley, managing director of Equipmake, said: “Through this innovative Advanced Propulsion Centre-funded project, we have worked closely with Agrale and Todo Bus along with other key partners, and the result is a state-of-the-art yet cost-effective bus.

“We are now looking forward to the start of the trial and the potential for this new vehicle is huge. Buenos Aires has around 16,000 buses on its streets – roughly twice the size of London’s fleet.

“There’s no doubt that electric buses can play a significant role in helping Argentina’s capital hit its 2050 net zero objective.”

Equipmake’s ZED system also underpins Jewel E, the new double-decker electric bus developed with Spanish bus builder Beulas.

Designed and developed from the ground up to deliver clean, cost-effective zero emission urban transportation in any town or city across the globe, Jewel E’s modular battery pack has options of up to 548kWh, with a maximum of 300 miles on a single charge.

It will begin in-service trials with London’s largest bus operator, Go-Ahead, in the coming months.

Equipmake’s ZED system also enables the repower of almost any type of bus too. Replacing an existing ICE drivetrain, the company’s repower programme involves an inspection of each bus to ensure adaptability.

Once its suitability is verified, the process itself is quick, with up to five repowers a week being able to be completed, ensuring a working bus is kept off the road for as short a time as possible.

Each repower is tailored to specific operator requirements, with service routes simulated to ensure the correct battery power level is selected for optimum performance and efficiency, and guaranteed driving ranges of 150 to 250 miles achievable, more than sufficient for a complete duty cycle, allowing buses to be recharged overnight.

As well as bringing environmental benefits, Equipmake’s repower programme makes sense from a cost perspective, with each conversion coming in at less than half the price of a new electric bus.

And with most buses expected to remain in service for 14 years or beyond, operators can still make significant efficiencies by repowering a bus halfway through its working life.

Foley added: “In parallel with the creation of new electric buses, repowering is an important and cost-effective transitionary technology that can bridge the gap between diesel and a new electric bus fleet.

“There is clear appetite for the technology, with strong demand from operators, leading to the expansion of our facilities in Norfolk. We believe interest will only increase and, next to the associated financial benefits, repowered vehicles can very quickly bring cleaner air to any town or city.”

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