Grayson Thermal Systems’ Aftermarket division has reached a milestone, having secured servicing and maintenance contracts for over 700 battery electric and fuel cell electric buses across the UK.
A specialist in the design, manufacture and servicing of HVAC and thermal management systems, Grayson has over four decades
of experience supporting bus operators to maintain their fleets. Historically focused on maintaining the HVAC of diesel and hybrid vehicles, the company has now added a significant number of new EVs to its portfolio.
According to Grayson’s data, the number of EVs under contract has grown 1,791% over the past 12 months, highlighting the rapid expansion of electric vehicles in operation across the UK. Despite this growth, EVs still only account for 18% of Grayson’s total HVAC servicing portfolio of over 4,100 buses and coaches, but the company forecasts that the number will continue to grow, and likely to reach over 1,000 this calendar year. Ian Hateley, Aftermarket Director of Grayson, commented: “We are proud that many major operators have entrusted us to service and maintain their new electric vehicles. It is also reassuring to see operators making proactive decisions to prioritise the performance and longevity of their EVs by ensuring regular servicing and maintenance of their thermal management and HVAC systems.
“As is often the case, prevention is better than cure – and that is particularly the case with thermal management and air conditioning systems on electric vehicles.
“Unlike their diesel counterparts, where HVAC maintenance had minimal direct impact on the operation of the vehicle, poorly maintained systems on electric buses can significantly reduce range and cause unnecessary wear on expensive components, such as temperature-sensitive batteries.
“Even seemingly minor issues, such as blocked filters, can force HVAC and thermal management systems to work harder, increasing energy consumption, impacting range and potentially resulting in costly VOR incidents. By working with us to ensure regular servicing and maintenance, operators are taking the right steps to minimise preventable issues, reduce downtime, and maximise their total cost of ownership.”
