Equipmake Showcases Repowered Fully-Electric New Routemaster Bus

Equipmake, the electrification specialist, has unveiled its latest pure-electric bus technology in the form of a zero-emission version of the New Routemaster double-decker bus at this year's Euro Bus Expo in Birmingham.

Equipmake

The clean, green New Routemaster was unveiled on Equipmake's stand at the Euro Bus Expo, which was held at the NEC in Birmingham from the 1st to the 3rd of November. This process replaces its hybrid drivetrain entirely with Equipmake's cutting-edge Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED), which contains 95% British-made components.

The electric version of the New Routemaster will be evaluated over the next six months, with pre-service trials already underway in London with Metroline. The programme will provide useful test data as Transport for London (TfL) continues to evaluate a variety of clean technologies, including cutting-edge repower systems like Equipmake's ZED.  Zenobē, the EV fleet and battery storage specialist, is providing charging infrastructure at Metroline's Holloway depot as well as battery data analytics for the bus.

@busambassador New Routemaster LT11 has been repowered to fully electric drive by Equipmake. #TfL #ElectricBus #Routemaster #EuroBusExpo #NewRoutemaster #FYP ♬ Blinding Lights - The Weeknd

The repowered New Routemaster, developed by Equipmake in Snetterton, Norfolk, has a 400kWh battery that allows for an expected in-service range of 150 miles - more than enough for a day's running. The all-electric New Routemaster was created as a result of a programme funded in part by the UK Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC).

Over the coming months, Equipmake will be trialling additional repowered buses with other bus operators across the UK.

Ian Foley, CEO of Equipmake, said:

“Repowering is a vital, cost-effective transitionary technology that can bridge the gap between diesel and a new electric bus fleet. We are delighted to showcase our latest repower system in the shape of a zero-emission version of the iconic New Routemaster double-decker bus here today at Euro Bus Expo.

“London is leading the way in the adoption of green technologies for large commercial vehicles and as TfL continues to evaluate a range of clean technologies, we are confident our repower systems can play a rapid role in accelerating any zero-emission vehicle strategy.”

Adrian Jones, Engineering Director, Metroline, said:

“Metroline is delighted to trial this innovative fully-electric New Routemaster bus in London. Repowering technology has huge potential in enabling operators to accelerate the transition of fleets to zero emissions and we look forward to further evaluating this test vehicle over the coming six months.”

The ZED found in the New Routemaster can be retrofitted to any existing hybrid or diesel bus, quickly providing the vehicle with a cutting-edge battery drivetrain.

Equipmake's patented ultra-efficient thermal management system is one of the ZED's most important features. This maintains all three of the ZED's key components - the battery pack, motor, and inverter - at their optimal operating temperatures, extending vehicle range.

The system, which includes an advanced water-glycol cooling circuit, also provides interior heating during cold weather using captured thermal energy. When the battery is depleted at the end of a full duty cycle, it can be recharged overnight at the depot using a CSS DC charging point.

The New Routemaster is powered by Equipmake's HTM 3500 electric motor. The motor is precisely engineered to meet the demanding requirements of a fully-laden double-decker bus, producing 3,500Nm torque at a motor speed of just 1,000rpm and delivering 400kW maximum power. It is seamlessly integrated into the prop shaft without the need for a separate transmission.

Conversion work has been carried out on the first Optare Versa bus at Equipmake’s Snetterton headquarters, with the first of the 12 buses expected to be back in operation on York’s roads this month.