Equipmake has been selected by Big Bus Tours to repower 10 double-decker, open-top buses with its electric drivetrain technology.
Big Bus Tours is considered the largest sightseeing company worldwide, providing hop-on, hop-off services for tourists.
To advance its commitment to sustainability, the company has contracted Equipmake to convert 10 of its Ankai double-deck sightseeing vehicles operating in London from diesel to electric power.
Gerry Price, Executive Vice President at Big Bus Tours, said:Our partnership with Equipmake will significantly support us as we transition our fleet to zero emissions. The state-of-the-art technology it has developed and its shared commitment to sustainability makes this a hugely exciting opportunity for us. Through innovations like this, we will be playing our part in improving the capital’s air quality and giving the hundreds of thousands of tourists who use our sightseeing services every year an even more enjoyable experience.
The buses will be fitted with Equipmake’s Zero-Emission Drivetrain (ZED) technology, which features a 327 kWh capacity battery to offer a daily range of over 120 miles.
The first of these repowered vehicles is scheduled to enter service at the start of 2024.
Ian Foley, CEO, Equipmake, said:We are delighted to be partnering with Big Bus Tours as it continues to make its fleet more sustainable. It’s fantastic to work with companies that share a forward-thinking mindset and recognise the immense advantages of repowering. By choosing to repower, Big Bus Tours will not only benefit from an excellent opportunity to achieve net-zero targets and play a key role in improving local air quality, but also make significant operating cost savings over the purchase of a new electric bus.
