FirstGroup invests £1m to speed up electrification of buses
Summary
FirstGroup Energy Limited the dedicated energy investment arm of leading transport operator FirstGroup is investing \xa31 million in its business to supercharge its work in converting existing diesel and petrol vehicles into clean electric vehicles.FirstGroup is a leader in environmental and social sustainability and has a long-term commitment of achieving a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035. KleanDrives cutting edge technology offers a complementary option, and greater coverage, to support fleet operators in their decarbonisation efforts.Repowering heavy diesel vehiclessuch as buses, coaches, and trucksinto electric vehicles offers a smarter, faster, and more sustainable solution than purchasing new EVs. This innovative approach not only saves the embedded carbon in these vehicles but also allows fleet operators to decarbonise quickly and cost-effectively.KleanDrives OEM-agnostic, modular electric drivetrains combine next-generation technology from top-tier suppliers like CATL, Graysons, and Voith with deep engineering expertise. This flexible, bespoke solution allows any heavy vehicle to be quickly repowered to electric, significantly reducing the total cost of ownership and cutting emissions, all while offering fleet operators a faster route to zero emissions.We are delighted at FirstGroups investment and as part of this we welcome Faizan Muhammad onto the board as both a strategic investor and a partner in driving the future of zero-emission transport. Repowering existing fleets with the latest electric technology allows operators to extend vehicle life, reduce emissions, and materially lower costs.