NewPower has secured its first contract to repower an existing fleet of electric buses, marking a shift from its previous focus on diesel-to-electric conversions.
The agreement covers 28 first-generation Metrodecker electric double deckers, which will receive new batteries, drivelines, axles, powertrains and HVAC systems as part of a wide-ranging upgrade programme.
The company said the initiative responds to rapid advancements in electric bus technology and aims to help operators extend the usefulness of early battery-electric models facing range or reliability limitations. The upgrade is designed to deliver performance improvements without requiring operators to purchase new vehicles.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, described the strategy as an extension of the firm’s repowering expertise. “While it’s clear that aging diesels would benefit from a switch to EV, the rapid development of battery and driveline systems in the last three years means we have the ability to update first generation electric vehicles with the latest technology and make enormous increases in power, range and efficiency,” he said. He added: “It’s a real game-changer and enables operators to upgrade their fleets without always having to buy new.”
Technical changes outlined by Wrightbus include the replacement of existing Kreisel battery packs with CATL systems that the company says can offer up to 50% “more power.” New HVAC and heat-pump heating systems will be supplied by Grayson Thermal Systems, while Voith Group will provide the electrical drives. Wrightbus also said that more than three-quarters of the component value for NewPower projects is sourced from UK suppliers, with all conversion work carried out at the company’s Oxfordshire facility.
The deal brings NewPower’s order book to 64 vehicles scheduled for completion in 2026, up from more than 50 buses delivered in 2025. Wrightbus originally launched its diesel repowering service in 2024 to support operators seeking to electrify fleets at lower cost than new vehicle purchases.
