Greater Manchester’s Bee Network is taking another bold step towards cleaner, greener public transport.
Go North West, which already operates 69 electric buses from its Bolton depot, is now trialling a first-of-its-kind conversion – testing the feasibility of repowering existing diesel buses into fully electric vehicles.
The first converted bus has now entered service from Bolton depot, replacing its diesel engine with a state-of-the-art zero-emission electric powertrain.
The trial will evaluate energy efficiency, range, operational costs, and real-world performance to determine whether repowering can offer a scalable solution for fleet electrification.
Nigel Featham, Managing Director of Go North West, said:
“This trial is about exploring how the Bee Network might accelerate moves towards an all-electric fleet.
“Converting an existing vehicle extends its life and provides a lower-cost way to cut emissions quickly. If successful, this could become a vital tool in delivering Greater Manchester’s zero-emission ambitions.”
The number of electric buses serving people across Greater Manchester continues to grow rapidly, from fewer than 1% before franchising to one in four by the summer as part of ambitions to have a fully electric fleet by 2030.
Stephen Rhodes, TfGM’s Director of Bus, said:
“Greater Manchester is determined to lead the way on transport innovation. As we look to grow our fleet of electric buses, this repowering trial is an exciting opportunity to explore whether bus electrification can happen faster and more cost-effectively. If successful, it could prove invaluable in helping us deliver a fully electric fleet by 2030 and provide a blueprint for the wider industry.”
The conversion process takes just three weeks and is carried out by a specialist team from Wrightbus in Bicester. The trial will help determine whether further conversions should follow, providing a more sustainable alternative to early fleet replacement.
