Rotala-owned Diamond Bus West Midlands has placed its first electric bus into service as it works towards a ‘cleaner, greener future’
The first of five electric vehicles has commenced service on local Black Country routes, enabling Diamond Bus to monitor performance and viability of bringing more electric vehicles into its fleet in future.
In order to minimise their environmental impact, these vehicles have been converted from existing diesel-powered vehicles in the Diamond fleet. In partnership with UK-based EV specialists MAGTEC, the buses go through a process whereby the existing engine is removed and replaced by an electrically-powered motor and battery packs which provide 200kWh of energy storage.
A spokesperson told CBW: “At Diamond Bus, we are committed to understanding and identifying the most suitable zero-emission bus technology for our operating areas, to ensure we can move towards a more sustainable fleet in future. We have already invested over £9 million in more than 75 new Euro VI low-emission certified micro-hybrid buses since 2018. However, the latest vehicles are fully electrically powered and produce no carbon emissions or exhaust fumes from the tailpipe, which means they go even further to improving air quality in our local towns and cities. By reusing and refurbishing existing vehicles, it has allowed us to invest in zero-emission technology without the need to dispose of existing service-ready vehicles. Our new electric buses really do epitomise the ultimate green goals; to reduce emissions and reduce waste. Diamond Bus really is committed to working towards a greener future and a brighter Diamond.”
