Golden Tours has agreed a further contract with repower specialist Equipmake that will see 10 Volvo B5TL-based double-deckers in the operator’s London fleet converted to battery-electric propulsion.
The deal follows an earlier order placed by Golden Tours with Equipmake in February for an unspecified number of conversions to battery-electric. That initial agreement was worth £2 million.
Golden Tours is now one of several open-top operators to go with battery-electric repower of existing buses, and the second after Lothian Buses known to have chosen the approach for Volvo B5TL chassis.
Equipmake will fit is established Zero-Emission Drivetrain, which includes motors, control system, inverters, thermal management package, and lithium-ion battery packs.
The supplier says that expansion of its collaboration with Golden Tours “illustrates the scaling of initial customer relationships as product is delivered and customers derive the operational benefits of electrification within their fleets.”
Arrival of the repowered buses is expected to commence over the coming months, with Golden Tours Managing Director Mikesh Palan noting that the conversions to battery-electric will ensure that “its operations are as sustainable as possible.”
Adds Mr Palan: “The cutting-edge capabilities of Equipmake’s Zero-Emission Drivetrain and its many cost, sustainability and efficiency advantages highlighted clear benefits of this continued partnership.
“We look forward to bringing these electric buses into service and continuing to put sustainability at the forefront of our business strategy.”
Success with Golden Tours continues Equipmake’s repower work with open-top tour bus operators. Equipmake CEO Ian Foley comments: “This new contract is testament to the quality and reliability of our products and reflects an increasing move in the sector towards sustainable operational alternatives.
“Equipmake’s bus repowering provides an economically compelling alternative to purchasing new electric vehicles and we are delighted that we can support Golden Tours as it works to make its fleet sustainable.” The supplier is already engaged in repowering open-top buses in London via its work with Big Bus Tours.
