NewPower, the Wrightbus-backed venture converting diesel buses to zero-emission with battery-electric drivelines, has published performance figures from its first fleet in service, with results suggesting a sector-leading offering on efficiency and costs.
In over 35,000 miles of operation across the UK, NewPower’s buses are delivering an average real-world range of 232 miles per charge, according to data compiled through bus research and development centre W-Tech.
The figures include winter conditions and full in-service operation. They position the vehicles as class-leading in range performance.
Wrightbus says the model offers a 21% better total cost of ownership (TCO) per vehicle compared to its diesel equivalent, driven by a 47% reduction in maintenance and energy costs.
Each bus is converted in Bicester, Oxfordshire, where diesel engines are replaced with zero-emission electric powertrains. The firm claims the process saves around 70,000 tonnes of CO2 per bus per year.
Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales says: “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.
“Thanks to the fact that we have the knowledge and expertise from the 2,300 strong Wrightbus workforce – including our master technicians – means NewPower has unrivalled expertise in being able to swap powertrains. It makes sense not just from a sustainability point of view, but from a cost perspective too.”
