Repowered Optare Versa EVs for First York

Electric drivetrain solutions provider Equipmake will repower 12 First York Optare Versa EVs by removing their original battery-electric driveline and installing its own Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED).

First York

The first of these buses is currently being overhauled, and it is anticipated to reenter service in November. The upgraded Optare Versa EVs, according to Equipmake, will have a "guaranteed range of 150 miles in all UK weather conditions", due to increased energy capacity and a patented heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system.

The supplier also claims that its ZED retrofit is suitable for both single and double deckers. It made its debut in a previously diesel-electric hybrid Volvo B5LH earlier in 2022. According to Equipmake, the repowering work costs less than half the price of a new battery-electric bus and is tailored to the required requirements.

After the first repowered Versa has successfully completed a trial, work on the remaining 11 will begin. The 12 buses were registered for use on York's park-and-ride network in 2014 and 2015, but it is thought that some have been out of service for several months.

Equipmake

Equipmake CEO, Ian Foley, has underlined the relevance of repower work that forms part of the wider transition to zero-emission. He says that the business is “delighted” to engage with First Bus on the installation of ZED into the Versa EVs.

“This agreement reflects the strong demand we are seeing for our products, which has, in turn, driven plans to expand our facility, creating 180 jobs and bringing the total number of staff employed at Equipmake to 255.”

First Bus Director for Decarbonisation Garry Birmingham adds that repowering the Versa EVs in York is an example of how the lifespan of a bus can be maximised “beyond 15 years.”

“These 12 repowered buses use a clever and cost-effective technology, which underlines our commitment to offering sustainable transport solutions. Nationally, First Bus is committed to delivering our zero-emission fleet goal, and First York’s partnership with Equipmake is a great example of how we can achieve that ambition.”