Electrification engineering specialist Equipmake has worked in partnership with First York to deliver a fleet of 12 upgraded electric buses.
The Optare Versa singe-deck models have been converted by Equipmake, incorporating the company’s Zero-Emission Drivetrain (ZED) technology, which in this specification, features a 274kWh capacity battery, providing a range of 150 miles in all UK weather conditions.
The delivery follows on from a successful trial of an initial converted prototype vehicle, which allowed engineering teams at First York and Equipmake to evaluate its performance and make any final adjustments. The completed 12 buses are now in full service across the city.
Equipmake repowers are tailored to specific requirements provided by the operator, with service routes simulated to ensure the optimum battery power level is selected to secure driving ranges of 150 to 250 miles.
This range is more than sufficient for a complete duty cycle, allowing buses to be recharged faster, overnight and operate for longer during the day.
Featuring an advanced water-glycol cooling circuit, the system provides 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.
Stuart Eyre, Engineering Manager of First York, said:
“Following a successful initial trial, it’s great to see this new fleet of 12 upgraded, all-electric buses operational across York. Equipmake’s repower technology is an important step in our transition to achieving a fully electric fleet in York, continuing to help improve air quality in the city and supporting the goal of First Bus nationally to have a zero-emission fleet by 2035.”
Ian Foley, CEO, Equipmake, said:
“We are delighted this 12-strong fleet of repowered Optare Versas is now operating in the city for First York, with all featuring our state-of-the-art electric drivetrain. This is fantastic news for passengers and the people of York, making a significant contribution to local air quality. For operators, repowering existing buses offers an excellent opportunity to achieve zero-emission targets, while making significant cost savings in parallel.”
Image from Equipmake
