Equipmake has expanded its electrification offering to the coach sector, collaborating with London-based Westway Coaches to convert a proportion of its existing diesel vehicles to electric power.
The conversion of the first vehicle, a Van Hool T917, has begun at Equipmake’s headquarters in Snetterton, Norfolk, and in-service prototype testing is set to begin in the third quarter of this year with the objective that further Westway vehicles are repowered over the coming months.
Equipmake’s Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED), featuring a 545 kWh battery pack, electric motor, inverter and heating, as well as a ventilation and air conditioning system, is expected to give the T917 a range of up to 220 miles, making long distances entirely possible.
Completely scalable and modular, Equipmake’s ZED can be applied to any coach from single to double-decker, with routes simulated to ensure the optimum battery power level is selected to secure driving ranges of between 180 and 220 miles
David West, Managing Director at Westway Coaches, said: “Operating a state-of-the-art fleet that is both sustainable and socially responsible is core to Westway Coaches.
“Its innovative technology will play a vital role in supporting our goal of running a zero emission fleet, operating coaches powered solely by electricity.
“I am looking forward to seeing our first repowered coach begin in-service prototype testing in Q3 and building on that with further repowered vehicles very quickly.”
