Bus manufacturer Wrightbus has launched a new re-powering service, replacing older diesel engines in buses with new zero-emission electric powertrains.
NewPower, which has moved into a hi-tech factory in Bicester, Oxfordshire, aims to speed up the decarbonisation process by eradicating diesel powertrains in older fleets at a substantially lower price than a new bus.
Wrightbus becomes the first OEM to offer a re-powering service, utilising the skills of its 1,800-strong workforce.
Hailed as affordable decarbonisation, it is hoped that operators with mid-life bus fleets but without the funding for new zero-emission buses can take advantage of the instant sustainability switch.
Engineers say the conversion can take as little as three weeks and have space for teams to work on six buses at any one time, offering the potential to decarbonise 500 buses a year.
NewPower has already added to its team with senior hires, including people who have worked for Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, BMW and McLaren.
Zero-emission buses manufactured by Wrightbus have already travelled more than 14 million miles, saving over 24,000 tonnes of C02 from entering the atmosphere.
The new enterprise will initially create 22 jobs, with 65 staff expected on site by the end of the year.
Jean-Marc Gales, Wrightbus CEO said: “While we are selling new hydrogen and battery-electric buses all over the world there is a huge market of mid-life buses which, once converted, can have an immediate impact on helping to improve air quality in towns and cities up and down the UK.”
