NewPower’s Repowered Electric Buses: Market-Leading Efficiency & Savings
New data confirms that NewPower’s repowered buses, converted from diesel to battery-electric, are the most efficient on the market, boasting a class-leading range of over 230 miles on a single charge. This impressive performance comes from real-life data gathered from over 20 buses operating across the UK, covering their first 35,000 miles in service, including winter driving conditions.
NewPower is a bold initiative by OEM Wrightbus, dedicated to transforming diesel buses into zero-emission electric vehicles. At their high-tech factory in Bicester, Oxfordshire, diesel engines are replaced with new electric powertrains. This process isn’t just eco-friendly; it’s smart business:
- Significant Cost Savings: Operators can enjoy a 21% better total cost of ownership per bus compared to diesel equivalents, thanks to a remarkable 47% reduction in maintenance and energy costs.
- Environmental Impact: Each repowered bus saves an impressive 70,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
- Decarbonization at a Fraction of the Cost: The NewPower conversion costs less than half the price of a new electric bus, making decarbonization accessible and extending the lifespan of existing buses by up to 10 years. This also results in substantial embodied carbon savings by reusing older vehicles instead of manufacturing new ones.
NewPower’s commitment to quality and compliance is further highlighted by their recent ZEVRAS (Zero Emissions Vehicle Repower Accreditation Scheme) approval. This certification is crucial, as manufacturers of zero-emission repowered systems must be ZEVRAS approved for their conversion kits to be listed.
Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales emphasized the proven performance: “We’ve always known our repowered buses would offer outstanding performance, and it’s satisfying to now be able to back that up with data.” He attributes this success to Wrightbus’s extensive expertise, enabling NewPower to efficiently swap powertrains, benefiting both sustainability and cost.
NewPower was launched by Wrightbus as the first OEM to offer a repowering service, aiming to accelerate decarbonization by cost-effectively electrifying older fleets.
