Equipmake Secures Successive Contract to Repower London Tour Buses with Zero-Emission Technology
3rd June 2024: Equipmake, a leader in electrification engineering, is excited to announce a new contract with Golden Tours to repower an additional ten Volvo B5 London Tour Buses using its proprietary Zero-Emission Drivetrain (ZED).
This follow-up contract, coming after a £2 million initial order in February, highlights the growing trust and satisfaction of Equipmake’s clients as they experience the benefits of electrification within their fleets.
Founded in 1984, Golden Tours specializes in London sightseeing and UK tourism, offering high-quality tours around the capital and day trips to notable locations like Stonehenge and Bath. As a key partner of the globally renowned Gray Line Association and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Golden Tours has a strong reputation for excellence. Equipmake is set to begin the delivery of these ten repowered buses in the coming months.
Ian Foley, CEO of Equipmake, commented on the contract: “Golden Tours is a premier tour and activity company in London and the UK. Their renewed commitment to Equipmake-repowered buses underscores the quality and reliability of our products, reflecting a sector-wide shift towards sustainable operations. Our bus repowering solutions offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to new electric vehicles, and we are delighted to support Golden Tours in their sustainability journey.”
Mikesh Palan, Managing Director at Golden Tours, added: “By extending our partnership with Equipmake, Golden Tours is ensuring the sustainability of our operations. We serve thousands of passengers daily, showcasing the UK’s most iconic locations, and Equipmake’s Zero-Emission Drivetrain enhances our service with its many cost, sustainability, and efficiency benefits. We look forward to deploying these electric buses and continuing our commitment to sustainability.”
Equipmake’s ZED is a modular and scalable repowering solution, suitable for both single and double-deck buses. The technology features an in-house developed electric motor, inverter, and power electronics, combined with the latest lithium-ion batteries. A standout feature of the ZED is its patented ultra-efficient thermal management system, which optimizes battery pack, motor, and inverter temperatures to maximize vehicle range.
The ZED’s advanced water-glycol cooling circuit not only maintains optimal thermal conditions but also provides interior heating during cold weather using captured thermal energy. Once the battery is depleted, it can be recharged at the depot via a CCS DC charging point.
Equipmake’s innovative technology offers significant advantages, including saving 90 tonnes of CO2 by repurposing existing bus chassis and bodies instead of building new ones. Additionally, each conversion costs less than half the price of a new electric bus. With buses typically in service for over 14 years, operators can achieve substantial savings by repowering their fleets midway through their operational life cycle.
