An eco-friendly open-top double-decker bus repowered by Magtec starred in London’s New Year’s Day Parade, broadcast to a global TV audience of 500 million people.
The 23-tonne zero emissions vehicle is one of 15 commissioned by Tootbus for its iconic sightseeing services in central London as part of its commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its operations and promote green tourism.
The bus carried civic leaders and parade patrons along the route from Piccadilly to Whitehall, taking in Regent Street, St James’s, Pall Mall and Trafalgar Square. The parade attracted 10,000 participants from the USA, Europe and beyond and a street audience of 500,000 people.
Andrew Gilligan, managing director of Magtec, said: “It was a great honour for our company to take part in London’s New Year’s Day Parade with our partner Tootbus and show the world how we are working together to improve air quality in the heart of the capital.
“Magtec is at the forefront of the technology needed to repower buses and is proud to be flying the flag for UK manufacturing on a global stage.”
Magtec is equipping the fleet of Tootbus vehicles with high-tech electric drive trains and its long-range 280 kWh battery system. Each bus will be operating hop-on, hop-off routes past world-famous landmarks and covering more than 70 miles per day in and around Westminster.
Tootbus aims to have a fully electric fleet by 2030 in line with the Mayor of London’s net zero ambitions for the capital.
Magtec has 15 years’ experience in repowering buses and has the most industry approvals.
