Equipmake, the electrification engineering specialist pioneering a range of integrated electrification products for the automotive, aerospace, bus, coach and off-highway industries, announces a sector-leading new repower solution for the Wrightbus Streetdeck.
Launched in 2014, the Streetdeck is one of the most popular double decker buses in service in the UK, with many thousands of vehicles in operation across the country by the UK’s biggest fleets. Today, Equipmake reveals full details of the very latest version of its cutting-edge modular electric chassis for the Streetdeck, which brings an unparalleled blend of range, battery capacity, performance and cost, with no compromise on passenger capacity.
Developed completely in-house, Equipmake’s Zero Emissions Drivetrain (ZED) features its proprietary electric motor, inverter, and power electronics, combined with the latest lithium-ion batteries. For the Streetdeck, Equipmake pairs its HTM 3500 motor – delivering 3,500Nm of torque at 1,000rpm and peak power of 400kW, seamlessly integrated into the prop shaft without the need for a separate transmission – with a Semikron SKAI inverter and a state-of-the-art 436kWh lithium-ion battery, capable of delivering up to 200-miles of range.
As well as fitting neatly into existing space within the vehicle, meaning there is no reduction in passenger carrying ability, one of the most important features of the ZED is its patented, ultra-efficient thermal management system, which maintains the battery pack, motor and inverter at an optimal temperature, therefore maximising vehicle range. An advanced water-glycol cooling circuit brings an additional benefit by providing interior heating during cold conditions with captured thermal energy.
Once the battery has been depleted following a duty cycle, it can be recharged at the depot via a CCS DC charging point. Conversions from diesel to full electric are also rapid, Equipmake able to complete zero emission Streetdecks in just three weeks, minimising downtime, getting vehicles back on fleet as quickly as possible, while at a cost of under £200,000 for 436kWh, a Streetdeck repowered by Equipmake is priced at less than half a brand-new electric bus.
Ian Foley, CEO, Equipmake said: “The Wrightbus Streetdeck is one of the most popular double deckers on UK fleets and the conversion of these buses will not only have a huge positive impact on local air quality but provide operators with a vehicle with lower running costs and a better experience for passengers and drivers.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard to develop this stand-out electric repower solution for the Streetdeck and the results are sector-leading. Our Zero Emission Drivetrain technology has a crucial role to play in accelerating the transition to a fully electric UK fleet – and we look forward to converting as many of these vehicles as possible in the coming months.”
Equipmake’s ZED is a modular and scalable electric drivetrain solution, its versatility making it applicable to both single and double-deck applications, across new buses and for repowering of existing vehicles.
Equipmake’s revolutionary technology has clear and proven advantages, with 90 tonnes of CO2 being saved by repurposing the existing chassis and body, rather than producing an entirely new double deck bus. Additionally, each conversion costs less than half the price of a new electric bus, and with most buses in service for more than 14 years, operators can make significant savings by repowering their buses halfway through operational life cycles.
Equipmake is a leading Tier 1 supplier and developer of electrification technology for the commercial vehicle industry. As well as repowering buses and coaches, the company also carries out conversions of existing vehicles such as fire trucks with REV Group in the US and Emergency One in the UK, alongside various airside logistical vehicles at airports.
