Transport UK London Bus electrifies bus route with 29 DD e-buses and Siemens chargers (and financing)
Transport UK London Bus (former Abellio) introduced a fleet of 29 electric double-decker buses to one of their busiest routes in London, route 63. The operator developed its Walworth depot in London to incorporate fully electric routes with power infrastructure, maintenance and charging facilities. The company highlights that it partnered with Siemens and Siemens Financial Services […]
Transport UK London Bus (former Abellio) introduced a fleet of 29 electric double-decker buses to one of their busiest routes in London, route 63. The operator developed its Walworth depot in London to incorporate fully electric routes with power infrastructure, maintenance and charging facilities.
The company highlights that it partnered with Siemens and Siemens Financial Services to acquire the total solution, from initial consultancy, through to depot redesign and retrofit, charging infrastructure implementation and optimisation, software management systems, and ongoing maintenance and optimisation.
TUK launches electric route in London
TUK needed to find a charging solution for its limited footprint Walworth depot that could provide enough power to keep buses running during the day, with limited time to ‘top up’ and then provide significant charging power to charge overnight. The maximum charging time available for the buses on this busy route is c.7hrs.
The Siemens solution was an end-to-end depot electrification comprising consultancy and depot simulation aiming at minimising space used and installation of 34 150kW Industrial Rapid Chargers supported by depot management software Depotfinity, which automatically optimises charging sessions within a limited headroom, reducing energy usage, maintenance costs and power levels. But it’s not all. Siemens also provided a SIVACON S8 LV board, LV busbar and harmonic filtering to ensure the relative power needs of the depot and charging stations are met. Finally, 14-years service level agreement and warranty is part of the contract.
Siemens Financial Services constructed a tailored, ‘smart’ financing package – embracing consultancy, technology, software, grid connection and ongoing maintenance structured across 14 years in line with the company’s contract with Transport for London.
Alastair Willis, Commercial Director, TUK, comments, “With the strength of financial support through Siemens Financial Services, Transport UK London Bus was able to build its electric fleet, including depot, charging infrastructure and grid connection, while minimising capital expenditure.”
