Transport for Wales (TfW) and Edwards Coaches have repowered two diesel buses into fully electric vehicles to support a lower-emission public transport network.
The repowering project, now in the early stages of testing, forms part of wider efforts to reduce emissions from bus operations while extending the lifespan of existing vehicles.
Repowering involves removing a bus’s diesel engine and fuel system and installing an electric drivetrain and battery pack in their place. The approach aims to reduce waste and limit the environmental impact associated with manufacturing new vehicles.
Initial trials have been carried out without passengers to assess performance, reliability and day-to-day operational efficiency of the vehicles. TfW plans for the buses to begin carrying passengers as the next phase of testing, enabling the project team to gather data under typical service conditions.
Connor Young, Project Manager for Bus Decarbonisation at TfW said:It’s been great to see the repowered buses out and about during the trial.
It has been an incredibly important project to help us reach the 2035 goal set by Welsh Government for the bus fleet to be zero emission.
The partnership between TfW and Edwards Coaches reflects ongoing work across the Welsh transport sector to introduce lower-emission technologies and adapt existing fleets. The organisations see the repowering trials as a step towards supporting the Welsh Government’s longer-term plans for a fully zero-emission bus fleet.
Simon Ingham of Edwards Coaches said:We’re proud to partner with TfW to refurbish and test repowered electric buses – the first of their kind in Wales.
The results are encouraging, and we’re committed to supporting practical, scalable solutions that cut emissions while maintaining reliable services. It’s been really exciting for the team to be involved as we celebrate 100 years of business.
