Wrightbus has announced its first EV-to-EV repowering project, which will upgrade 28 Metrodecker electric buses for Metroline Ltd.
The electric double-deck buses will undergo conversion at NewPower UK’s facility in Oxfordshire. The buses, which have experienced reliability and range challenges, will be fitted with updated systems designed to improve performance and efficiency.
The project involves replacing the batteries, axles, drivelines, powertrains and HVAC systems. The existing Kreisel batteries will be substituted with CATL battery packs, which provide around 50% more power capacity. The repowered vehicles will also include a Grayson Thermal Systems HVAC and heat-pump heating unit, as well as an electric drive system from Voith Group.
Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said:This latest deal increases the orders for NewPower to 64 for next year, already above the 50-plus we will have delivered in 2025, and makes NewPower the largest repower specialist in Europe.
Wrightbus was the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to introduce a repowering service, using its existing expertise to convert diesel buses to electric power. This new project marks the company’s first upgrade of an electric fleet with next-generation EV technology.
In addition to EV-to-EV conversions, NewPower also continues to offer diesel-to-electric repowering services as part of Wrightbus’ wider zero-emission transition strategy.
This week, Wrightbus has also launched its Generation 2 Electroliner electric bus.
