UK bus operator First Bus has begun operating its first set of diesel buses converted to electric under a refurbishment programme aimed at accelerating low-carbon transport while extending vehicle lifespans.
Four electric buses converted from diesel vehicles are now in service on routes across Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport. The initiative is part of a broader effort to repurpose older diesel models into zero-emission vehicles through a partnership with NewPower, a repowering division of Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus.
The conversion process, which takes around one week at NewPowerâs factory in Bicester, Oxfordshire, involves stripping out the diesel engine, gearbox and other fuel components and replacing them with batteries and an electric drivetrain. Wrightbus says the process costs roughly half the price of a new electric bus and can add six to nine years to a vehicleâs life.
âWe are proud to introduce these four converted electric buses to Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport,â said Gary Weaver, Engineering Director at First Bus South. âThis initiative not only provides a second life for existing vehicles but also delivers a low-carbon, sustainable transport option that benefits both passengers and the wider community.â
The new additions join an existing fleet of 62 electric buses introduced in the region following the electrification of First Busâ Fareham depot in 2023. The company began with a two-bus trial before ordering 30 more conversions following successful results.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Portsmouth City Councilâs Cabinet Member for Transport, welcomed the deployment. âCost-effectively re-powering these buses from diesel to electric is a smart way to bring forward another step in our commitment to deliver affordable, sustainable, and zero-emission transport for everyone,â he said.
First Bus plans to deploy the repowered vehicles in additional UK cities including Norwich, Leeds, Leicester, and Aberdeen. The company is targeting a fully electric fleet by 2035.