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- The Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) is designed to accelerate the transition to electric buses in Scotland
- Companies who repower buses from diesel to electric now eligible to bid for funding through ScotZEB Phase 2
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- Kleanbus’ technology can turn any diesel bus, whether single or double decker, to zero emission
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- Electric repowered buses from Kleanbus cost one fifth of a new electric bus with a third of the operating costs of diesel buses
Friday August 19th, 2022: Expert bus repower company Kleanbus today welcomes changes to the Scottish Zero Emissions Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) set to include funding that could further reduce the purchase price of a bus repowered with an electric drivetrain.
Designed to accelerate the transition to zero emission buses in Scotland, ScotZEB is a Scottish Government scheme which has recently seen £62 million awarded to nine bus operators and local authorities for 276 buses. Announced this week, ScotZEB Phase 2 eligibility criteria expands to include companies offering repowering, where a diesel bus engine is replaced with a fully electric drivetrain.
Potentially incentivising the price of a repowered bus, this funding could enable fleets to make the switch to an electric bus even more cost-effectively. ScotZEB Phase 2 will open for bids in spring 2023.
Joe Tighe, Co-Founder and CEO of Kleanbus said: “Kleanbus welcomes the inclusion of repower technology companies in ScotZEB Phase 2. Replacing diesel buses with new electric buses is very expensive for private companies. Repowers offer a fast and efficient way towards zero-emissions, making buses cleaner, quieter, more comfortable, and more valuable assets for operators. Kleanbus’ advanced solution can accelerate that changeover thanks to the company’s unique technology.”
Electric repowered buses from Kleanbus already cost one fifth of a new electric bus – but thanks to Kleanbus’ partnerships with innovative finance providers, operators can choose several ways in which to finance their vehicle, ranging from paying for the vehicle upfront and leasing the battery, to paying nothing upfront and leasing both the vehicle and the battery.
In this way, operators can fund the cost of the repower through operating revenue, maximising the business case. Kleanbus works closely with charging technology providers to ensure depots are upgraded with appropriate charging technology, enabling them to transform a diesel bus transportation system into an optimised clean electric vehicle ecosystem.
ENDS
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Editors’ notes:
About Kleanbus
Kleanbus’ unique repower programme provides a fast, affordable, and the most environmentally friendly solution to electrify bus fleets. The company is committed to using innovative British engineering expertise, quality locally sourced components and UK-based manufacturing. Its drivetrain has no rare earth elements, and its battery systems are specifically designed for bus system operations. By providing the best available technology with the most reliable supply chain and excellent customer service, Kleanbus is the partner of choice for rapid, low-cost transition to zero emissions.
Kleanbus’ senior team is made up of subject matter experts with a combined eighty years in powertrain development. Led by serial entrepreneur CEO Joe Tighe, other senior members of the team include Chairman, Terry Spall, past President of the IMECHE and 25-year senior executive at Mira, alongside Rob Gretton, an engineer with over 30 years’ experience working in drivetrain and power systems, and former TfL and GLA air quality specialist Lucy Parkin, who is the company’s first Director of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
Underlining its commitment to being a force for good, Kleanbus has also achieved pending B-Corporation® status.
