Electric vehicle charging company EO Charging has announced the launch of a dedicated eBus division and software platform to support the electrification of bus fleets and the drive by local and national governments to reach clean air targets.
Building on EO’s leading fleet management capabilities and adding functionality specific to electric buses, EO’s eBus software solution will integrate with any OCPP-compliant charge point, not just EO’s own charging hardware. Managed by EO Cloud, EO’s EV charging software, the new eBus solution enables the integration of new buses as fleets grow, as well as the integration of new charging hardware over time.
The software solution provides benefits for fleet managers who want to configure new depots and install chargers; fleet managers who are decarbonising their fleets and need to understand how to operate an eBus fleet profitably and reliably; and finance teams who need to understand the costs and factors such as energy consumption and wastage.
EO’s eBus charge point and depot management software includes features to enhance fleet manager experience around:
- Charge point status and performance: Charger status and availability
- Vehicle tracking & data: View vehicle State of Charge (% SOC) and live bus route information via telematics
- Depot view: Easily check depot, OCPP compliant charger and bus statuses using the EO Cloud from anywhere in the world
- Remote diagnostics & resolution: Diagnose and resolve charging faults remotely, reducing the need for on-site interventions
- 24/7/365 support & maintenance: In-platform premium service for charging infrastructure
- OCPP compliant: UK’s first Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) compliant eBus software solution
EO has appointed Keith Watson, former senior director at Alexander Dennis Limited, a leading independent global bus manufacturer, to lead the new division.
He said: “Moving to a zero-emission fleet is now the number one priority for bus operators around the world. Government and local authorities have set ambitious net-zero targets and there’s mounting pressure from the general public on the need for cleaner air in our cities. We know that a one-size-fits all approach to electrification doesn’t work for bus operators and we’re building a solution that can adapt to any customer.”
Decarbonising public transport is a vital part of the net zero ambitions of local authorities. In September, for example, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced that all new Transport for London (TfL) buses would be zero-emission and that he aimed to completely decarbonise the fleet by 2034.
In February, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised funding support over five years to help bus operators in England move to zero-emission buses. However, leading bus manufacturers and trade unions jointly wrote to the Department for Transport and Treasury in September to demand a clearer funding timetable and increased urgency over the release of the funds.
Charlie Jardine, CEO of EO Charging, added: “Launching our new eBus division is an important next step on our mission to become the global leader in charging electric car, van truck and bus fleets. Governments, local authorities and industry are all making a strong push to decarbonize, and our eBus division, along with our software, is the perfect partner to all entities with the ambition of eliminating emissions.”
Image courtesy of EO Charging.
