Equipmake welcomes ScotZEB repower option

Equipmake welcomes the opening of the latest Scottish Zero Emissions Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB), which reduces the price of a repowered bus by up to £50,000.

Companies like Equipmake, who can replace the diesel powertrain of a bus with an electric drivetrain, alongside local authorities and public service bus operators, are all eligible to bid for support with ScotZEB Phase 2.

“This innovative initiative will enable fleets to go electric quickly and even more cost-effectively, helping them bridge the gap between diesel and a new electric bus fleet” – Ian Foley, CEO of Equipmake

Ian Foley

Ian Foley, CEO of Equipmake, said: “The confirmation that the latest round of ScotZEB funding will assist with the purchase price of a repowered bus by up to £50,000 is fantastic news. This innovative initiative will enable fleets to go electric quickly and even more cost-effectively, helping them bridge the gap between diesel and a new electric bus fleet.

“We welcome the opening of applications for ScotZEB Phase 2 funding, news which will not only speed up the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet in Scotland but also support the growth of jobs in UK-wide, including at Equipmake.” Equipmake says

Equipmake says once the suitability of each bus is verified, the repowering process itself is quick, claiming it can carry out up to five repowers a week. Each repower is tailored to specific operator requirements, with service routes simulated to ensure the correct battery power level is selected for optimum performance and efficiency, and guaranteed driving ranges of 150 to 250 miles achievable, it says.

Equipmake claims its repower programme makes sense from a cost perspective, with each conversion coming in at less than a third of the price of a new electric bus with the new ScotZEB grant included. It believes operators can make significant efficiencies by repowering a bus halfway through its working life.

“The Scottish Government is to be praised for ScotZEB Phase 2 and we now call on the UK Government to outline an electric bus strategy that will see the purchase price of a repowered electric bus incentivised in England and Wales” – Ian Foley

Ian Foley said: “By repowering buses with electric power, the technology exists to bring cleaner air to towns and cities very rapidly indeed. The Scottish Government is to be praised for ScotZEB Phase 2 and we now call on the UK Government to outline an electric bus strategy that will see the purchase price of a repowered electric bus incentivised in England and Wales.

“The opportunity is clear for all to see. Repowering the drivetrains of existing buses with electric technology at scale can rapidly and dramatically reduce pollution and provide the UK bus industry with a much-needed shot in the arm. The UK Government must seize the initiative and make it happen. Contributing to conversions would be an ideal way of doing so.”

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