Zeelo, Zenobe partner on ZE trials for SME operators
Smart bus platform Zeelo and electric fleet specialist Zenobe are working together to enable Zeelo’s network of operator partners to trial battery-electric vehicles, including the use of temporary charging infrastructure.
The two businesses say that the approach will help to “drive an affordable and accessible transition” of private coach and bus transport towards battery-electric. The trial vehicles and infrastructure involved will be owned by Zenobe and operators that use them will be charged a monthly fee.
They hope that the ‘taster’ approach, along with the offer of electrification solutions by Zenobe, will permit zero-emission uptake among Zeelo’s 200 operator partners to “happen in an environmentally and financially sustainable approach” and mitigate the high upfront costs of those vehicles and associated infrastructure.
Zeelo and Zenobe add that in partnership, they will work to identify opportunities for large-scale fleet electrification. The collaboration between the two suppliers has already seen them support London operator AirSym in its introduction of a Yutong TCe12 battery-electric coach onto a private home-to-school service, and before that, a previous TCe12 for use shuttling McLaren Automotive staff and at Heathrow airport.
Speaking about the partnership, Zeelo CEO Sam Ryan says the supplier has an “ambitious vision” to both switch over eight million journeys per yet to battery-electric within the next three to five years, and to support its operator partners to be able to invest in the necessary vehicles.
“Through our partnership with Zenobe we can help to kick-start a national transition out of a reliance on diesel amid the fuel crisis. That doesn’t just mean cutting people a deal, but actually ensuring that battery-electric buses feel comfortable and safe to drive, and easy to charge," continues Mr Ryan.
Zenobe already supports 580 battery-electric vehicles globally. It plans to grow that number to 3,000 by 2025. “With this collaboration, we are allowing these operators to trial the technology,” says Co-Founder Steven Meersman.
“Electrification of both coach and bus will play a pivotal role in transport decarbonisation and can help Zeelo and its customers to achieve their zero-emission commitments. We hope that together, we can build confidence and appetite for a permanent solution.
“To be a truly sustainable working relationship, this needs to deliver environmental and financial gains for Zeelo and its partners while providing cleaner, greener transport for students and commuters."
Equipmake to repower 12 First York Optare Versa EVs
Equipmake will repower 12 Optare Versa EVs in the First York fleet via the removal of their original battery-electric driveline and installation of its own Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED).
Work on the first of those buses is underway and it is expected to return to service in November. Equipmake says the upgraded Optare Versa EVs will deliver a “guaranteed range of 150 miles in all UK weather conditions” thanks to higher energy capacity and a patented heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
The supplier adds that its ZED retrofit suits single- and double-deckers. It debuted in a formerly diesel-electric hybrid Volvo B5LH earlier in 2022. The repower work costs less than half the price of a new battery-electric bus, Equipmake continues, and it is tailored to the customer’s needs.
Once the initial repowered Versa has completed a successful trial, work on the remaining 11 will begin. The 12 buses were registered in 2014 and 2015 for use on York’s park-and-ride network, but it is understood that some have been out of use for many months.
Equipmake CEO Ian Foley has underlined the relevance of repower work to the wider transition to zero-emission. He says that the business is “delighted” to engage with First Bus on the installation of ZED into the Versa EVs.
“This agreement reflects the strong demand we are seeing for our products, which has, in turn, driven plans to expand our facility, creating 180 jobs and bringing the total number of staff employed at Equipmake to 255.”
First Bus Director for Decarbonisation Garry Birmingham adds that repowering the Versa EVs in York is an example of how the lifespan of a bus can be maximised “beyond 15 years.”
He continues: “These 12 repowered buses use a clever and cost-effective technology, which underlines our commitment to offering sustainable transport solutions. Nationally, First Bus is committed to delivering our zero-emission fleet goal, and First York’s partnership with Equipmake is a great example of how we can achieve that ambition.”