Equipmake sends battery-electric bus to Buenos Aires
Equipmake has dispatched a single-deck battery-electric bus with its modular driveline to Buenos Aires. It follows the completion of testing of the Agrale MT17.0LE vehicle in the UK and will see the commencement of in-service trials in the Argentine capital.
Within the bus is the same Equipmake drivetrain that the OEM will use in the Jewel E double-decker for the UK. That powertrain can also be used on a repower basis in existing buses, as debuted in a Volvo B5LH earlier in 2022.
Equipmake has worked with Brazilian bus manufacturer Agrale and Argentinian bodybuilder Todo Bus on the bus for Argentina. It has been developed as part of an Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC)-funded cost effective low entry Bus project. The Snetterton firm led its two partners on the work over three years with an objective to deliver a cost-effective battery-electric bus to suit South American conditions.
318kW/h of energy storage is included in the MT17.0LE via lithium-ion batteries to deliver an estimated range of 150 miles. Equipmake’s HTM 3500 motor is used. Thousands of miles in and around Norfolk and on proving grounds have been completed as part of the UK testing phase. The ultimate objective is for mass production to begin in Buenos Aires by Agrale and Todo Bus using licenced Equipmake technology.
Says Equipmake Managing Director Ian Foley: “I am delighted that, following the completion of final testing here in Norfolk, the Agrale MT17.0LE now begins its journey to Buenos Aires for in service trials.
“Throughout this innovative APC-funded project, we have worked closely with Agrale and Todo Bus along with other key partners. The result is a state-of-the-art yet cost-effective bus.
“We are now looking forward to the start of the trial. The potential for this new vehicle is huge. Buenos Aires has around 16,000 buses on its streets – roughly twice the size of London’s fleet.
"There is no doubt that electric buses can play a significant role in helping Argentina’s capital hit its 2050 net zero objective.”
Equipmake adds that its Jewel E demonstrator, which is bodied by Beulas, will now begin in-service trials with Go-Ahead London “in the coming months.”
Totalkare: Diversification and expansion at its heart
Totalkare has grown in recent years from being a supplier of vehicle lifts to one that is now active across multiple types of workshop equipment. That, combined with an ongoing strategy for growth, has seen the supplier treble its product sales in value terms and double its service-related turnover. 20 mobile technicians are now active in the latter area of its business and it also has a dedicated installation team.
As the Totalkare range has grown to include brake and headlight testing equipment, pits, workshop furniture and others – and with more to come – so has a need for space. Totalkare now calls a combined office, workshop and warehouse building in Kingswinford home, and it is in the process of adding an additional floor of office accommodation.
The supplier lists quality service and products, a growing equipment line-up and strong relationships among reasons for its expansion. Changes within the coach and bus maintenance field have also been influential. The government’s super-deduction scheme to encourage investment has helped further, CEO David Hall notes.
“Our message has become that while we are still active across the vehicle lifting sphere, lifts are not all we do,” he continues. “That has taken effect and we are now viewed more as a workshop equipment supplier.”
Putting a brake on testing times with new range
Coach and bus businesses have shown strong interest in brake testing equipment, David notes. He refers to a brake tester as “a compliance product” in view of Traffic Commissioners’ placing of great emphasis on regular such testing, and the severity of regulatory action against an O-Licence that may follow if it is not heeded.
“We have seen lots of demand for brake testing products,” he continues. “Operators previously often used third parties, but it can be difficult to obtain appointments.” In-house brake testing “can also be a revenue opportunity.”
Most coach and bus operators that have purchased brake testers from Totalkare have fleets of 20-50 vehicles.
Besides giving surety of availability, an in-house tester reduces planned vehicle downtime, costs and the business’s carbon footprint.
Wheels and tyres are a further area where Totalkare sees scope to grow. Wheel alignment is key to fuel efficiency and is an area where the supplier is already active. Mounting and dismounting tyres could become an area of wider interest owing to the health and safety implications of doing so manually. Totalkare now has products that carry out those tasks both automatically and much faster than doing so by hand.
Lifting: All bases still covered by Totalkare
Although Totalkare has expanded into new markets, its core vehicle lift range remains strong. In the coach and bus sector, column lifts are the favoured solution. Totalkare meets that requirement with its T8 range.
The T8AC runs directly from a three-phase plug-in supply, while the T8DC is battery powered and thus cable-free. Typically, around 40 sets of four columns are in stock at Kingswinford. Older models are present for repair or refurbishment or having been taken in part-exchange.
Something that Totalkare is keen to stress is the importance of using six columns for tri-axle vehicles. Using four and leaving the tag axle unsupported sees the counterweight effect of the heavy driveline result in a major loading imbalance. Besides accelerating wear on the columns supporting the drive wheels, such a practice can also damage vehicle airbags on that axle and is something that should be avoided.
Lifting platforms retain a following in coach and bus, and Totalkare has issued multiple quotes for them to the sector this year, including for a 13m galvanised example. An attraction of a platform lift is the ease and speed of its operation, while it is also easily moved to new premises if needed. Sales Director Adam Bowser describes it as “a pit in the sky.” An in-ground lift, which uses hydraulic columns, is due to market soon.
Totalkare now a growing and diversifying business
In line with its diversification, David observes that Totalkare’s market proposition is now about offering “a full package” of well-supported workshop equipment. The business has paid close attention to service, he continues; in addition to field engineers, the parts supply process has been overhauled to ensure that it is as efficient as possible. That includes automatic demand planning to ensure that items are available.
Another move to strengthen service has been the appointment of two product specialists.
They work with lifting and testing, respectively, are involved with all aspects of the sale and operation process for their respective equipment streams, and are likely to be joined by others in the same role that will champion different areas of the business.
“We will continue to invest money to ensure that we are ready for the future,” David continues. “Our priority is to make sure that customers are happy with products and service. A lot of that comes through doing simple things: Answering the phone when it rings, having parts in stock and turning up when we say we will.”
A further example of Totalkare’s ‘full service’ approach is its project management capability when civil engineering work is required for equipment installation, while it has a strong and adaptable funding offer that includes contract hire and finance in addition to traditional purchase.
A service package can be incorporated into a monthly charge, of which repair and maintenance is popular among coach and bus operators. “Our one-stop approach is bringing us new customers and it is also allowing us to do more business with those that we have already,” David concludes.
Innovation Challenge to make Euro Bus Expo debut in 2022
Euro Bus Expo will host the popular Innovation Challenge for the first time at this year's show at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. Having debuted at Coach & Bus UK in 2019, the Challenge brings together the most significant product and service developments from across the industry and gives visitors the opportunity to quickly and easily evaluate them.
Among the initiatives to be highlighted in the Innovation Challege will be those that could lead Euro Bus Expo visitors to cut costs, drive productivity and unlock growth within their businesses.
Products will be displayed in the Innovation Challenge Gallery. On the first and second days of the show, visitors will vote for their favourites. Suppliers of those that accrue the most votes will then deliver a 90-second pitch in the Masterclass Theatre of their product or service to a panel of judges drawn from within the industry, and visitors.
Judges from industry to decide on awards for best entries
The judges will then award bronze, silver or gold certificates, and winning suppliers “can relish the moment of having one of the most innovative products or services at Euro Bus Expo 2022,” says event organiser Diversified Communications UK.
Judges this year will include Abellio London Bus Managing Director Jon Eardley; Belle Vue Manchester MD Phil Hitchen; Leach-O'Connell Consultancy MD Chloe Leach-O'Connell; Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru Director Josh Miles; and Trentbarton Group Commercial Director Tom Morgan.
Exhibiting suppliers have been invited by Diversified to enter into the Innovation Challenge their product or service that is launching at Euro Bus Expo, or which has debuted during the 12 months prior to the show.
Says Event Director Helen Conway: “Following its successful launch at Coach & Bus UK in 2019, the Innovation Challenge celebrates new products and services from across the industry.
“As well as giving visitors a convenient way to discover all the latest additions, the challenge is an extra opportunity for exhibitors to showcase the very best of their work and highlight the importance it has on shaping the future of our sector.”
Innovation Challenge highlights 'real benefits' for coach and bus
At Coach & Bus UK in 2019, Ticketer won the gold award in the Innovation Challenge. Former CEO John Clarfelt adds: “I highly recommend entering if you are looking to launch a new product or service.
“We were excited to be involved in the Innovation Challenge at Coach and Bus UK 2019. It was a chance to get in front of the whole exhibition audience and showcase something we are proud of, which could really benefit the industry. Reaching the final and winning the gold award was naturally a bonus.”
Diversified again expects to attract thousands of coach, bus and mini vehicle operators to Euro Bus Expo, which will run concurrently with the routeone Awards presentation evening at the nearby Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Wednesday 2 November. Euro Bus Expo is the UK’s largest trade show dedicated to the coach and bus industry.
Registration is free of charge via the show website.