Repowering – removing the diesel engine or hybrid powertrain from an existing bus, replacing it with a fully electric powertrain – is said to be the fastest and most cost-effective method to transition the UK bus fleet to zero emission.
In a statement, Joe Tighe, co-founder and CEO of Kleanbus said: “With 97 per cent of UK buses powered by diesel engines that emit large amounts of carbon, oxides of nitrogen, and particulate matter – and a staggering 35,000 of them on the road – the country faces a major challenge to rapidly decarbonise this vital transport sector and is struggling to move quickly enough.
“Replacing these vehicles with new electric buses is very expensive for private companies and government subsidies will take many years given fleet turnover rates. Kleanbus offers a fast and efficient way towards zero-emissions, making buses cleaner, quieter, more comfortable, and more valuable assets for operators.”
Combining electric powertrain components from Tier 1 suppliers with its own integration technology and proprietary software, Kleanbus said its platform system is ‘technology agnostic, nimble and adaptable’ and one fifth of the cost of a new electric bus.
From its 9,000 sq. ft Eastfield facility, the Kleanbus repower programme involves a full evaluation of the vehicle, removal of its diesel engine and ICE components, scanning and prototyping the vehicle’s interior, designing a bespoke platform, installation of a new e-drive, build, full testing and final certification. Kleanbus said it take less than two weeks to repower a bus once a bespoke e-drivetrain has been designed and tested. The company can also arrange for an operator’s depot to be upgraded with charging technology.
“The potential for repowered buses is huge,” Tighe said. “They could bring about fully electric bus fleets six years earlier than relying on roll out of new zero emission buses alone. This could give a potential saving of over 4Mt CO2 and deliver health benefits of improved air quality sooner.”
Poll: Should the UK’s railways be renationalised?
I think that a network inclusive of the vehicles on it would make sense. However it remains to be seen if there is any plan for it to be for the...