After NewPower successfully converted two diesel buses to run on battery electric for First Bus, the operator placed an order for a further thirty buses.

According to Shawn Furman, Sales Manager for Optimal EV’s transit business, who spoke to T&BB at the latest ACT Expo, the company has preferred to keep a low profile over the last couple of years, especially given the bad press which EVs are receiving. While competitors such as Lightning eMotors have gone under, Optimal EV has been quietly working away on its main offerings, an electric chassis-cab and a battery electric low floor shuttle bus.

Wrightbus says that, in as little as three weeks, NewPower will take a mid-life diesel bus and convert it to zero emissions (battery or fuel cell).

Through a special-purpose entity, “Zevx Liquidation LLC”, Resolution is running two sales processes in parallel: an auction of ZEVx equipment at its location in Gilbert, Arizona; and a separate sale of the company’s intellectual property. Attached to this article is a sale memorandum, providing details of the intellectual property and assets on offer.

The ten vehicles owned by Golden Tours, are all Volvo B5 double-deckers which will feature Equipmake’s zero-emission drivetrain and a 327-kWh capacity battery pack, providing a 193 km (120 miles) range.

Aidrivers will contribute its expertise in developing autonomous driving software, while ZF’s Mobility Solutions division will act as engineering partner, handling integration, validation, and deployment of the technology.

ULEMCo plans to put the money towards its existing R&D into new fuel cell electric and hydrogen combustion projects, as well as its proven dual fuel technology.

At this past Commercial Vehicle Show, which took place in Birmingham from 23 – 25 April, Electra Commercial Vehicles announced plans to enter the upcycling (repowering) business with the launch of Electra Exchange.

The buses, which are the first of a 15-strong order which will be fulfilled before the end of the year, are Mercedes-Benz ‘Intouro’ intercity buses which Safra has retrofitted with electric drivetrain components, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage tanks.

Once valued at GBP 200 million (2022), the company has blamed UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for pushing back the ban on ICE vehicles. Lunaz has ceased operations of its commercial unit ahead of a restructuring, with plans to revive its passenger car repowering business in the near future.

The vehicle achieved a 5 star Direct Vision Standard* (DVS) rating for driver visibility, making it safe to operate in one of Europe’s busiest cities.

Transport operator, VIX Logística S.A. has started testing its first converted (retrofitted) electric heavy-duty truck in Brazil. Named Atlas, it has a maximum traction capacity (CMT) of 120 tons and has an electric motor with a power output of 450 kW (600 hp).