Equipmake has partnered with the world’s largest sightseeing company, Big Bus Tours, in a fleet deal that will see 10 double-deck, open-top buses in London repowered with its electric zero emission electric drivetrain technology.
The vehicles scheduled for repowering are all Ankai double-deck sightseeing buses, and each will be converted to incorporate Equipmake’s Zero-Emission Drivetrain (ZED) technology, which in this specification includes a 327kWh capacity battery, providing a 120 mile daily range.
Its first vehicle will enter service in Q1 2024.
The ZED, which is completely modular and scalable and can be applied to single as well as double-decker buses, features Equipmake’s in-house developed electric motor, inverter, and power electronics, combined with the latest in lithium-ion batteries.
One of its most important features is Equipmake’s patented thermal management system, which maintains all three of the ZED’s key components – the battery pack, motor, and inverter – at an optimum operating temperature, maximising vehicle range.
Featuring an advanced water-glycol cooling circuit, the system has the added benefit of providing interior heating during cold conditions with captured thermal energy. When the battery is depleted at the end of a complete duty cycle, it can be recharged at the depot overnight via a CSS DC charging point.
Ian Foley, CEO of Equipmake, said, “By choosing to repower, Big Bus Tours will not only benefit from an excellent opportunity to achieve net-zero targets and play a key role in improving local air quality, but also make significant operating cost savings over the purchase of a new electric bus.”
Gerry Price, Executive Vice President at Big Bus Tours, said: “Our partnership with Equipmake will significantly support us as we transition our fleet to zero emissions.”
