Data collated by Wrightbus’ conversion subsidiary OEM, NewPower, has shown that repowered buses converted from diesel to battery-electric power systems are, allegedly, the most efficient alternative available on the market, touting ranges of over 230 miles.
NewPower’s data, which collates statistics from the first 35,000 miles of its 20-plus vehicle fleet of repowered vehicles, has shown that its buses offer a 21% improved total cost of ownership when compared to a diesel equivalent thanks to a 47% reduction in both maintenance and energy costs.
Each of NewPower’s vehicles have been put through a repowering process at the company’s Bicester factory, situated in Oxfordshire, where they have been stripped of their diesel engines and provided with new, zero-emission electric powertrains.
All vehicles repowered at the facility have also been approved as part of the Zero Emissions Vehicle Repower Accreditation Scheme (ZEVRAS).
Wrightbus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, said:We’ve always known our repowered buses would offer outstanding performance and it’s satisfying to now be able to back that up with data from the first 20,000 NewPower miles travelled. “Thanks to the fact that we have the knowledge and expertise from the 2,300 strong Wrightbus workforce – including our master technicians – means NewPower has unrivalled expertise in being able to swap powertrains.
It makes sense not just from a sustainability point of view, but from a cost perspective too.
