Report: Rapid Bus Experimenting With Diesel-To-EV Bus Conversions

It appears Rapid Bus has started a proof-of-concept (POC) pilot project trialling diesel-to-EV bus conversions. Four such prototypes were reportedly deployed.

According to a recent feature report by local daily The Star, it appears that Rapid Bus recently launched a proof-of-concept (POC) pilot project to convert four diesel buses into electric vehicles (EV). Presently, Rapid Bus operates Rapid KL, Rapid Penang and Rapid Kuantan.

The report adds that the operators have partnered with two unnamed local firms. Together, they are testing to see if retrofitting said EV conversions in existing diesel buses can serve as a viable alternative as opposed to acquiring a new fleet.

This pilot trial involves busses with an average of 11 years. If proven successful, the initiative could extend the service life of older vehicles by up to 7 years, Rapid Bus reportedly touts. Concurrently, it could also accelerate the operator’s transition to EVs.

Besides reducing capital expenditure and emissions, the effort can also extend the service life of older vehicles by up to 7 years, touts Rapid Bus.

In a statement issued to the daily, the operator adds that the conversion process being trialed is also aimed at reducing its capital expenditure. Concurrently, it also serves to help lower the operator’s carbon emissions.

In the same report, the daily had also quoted opinions from key industry experts who noted the project could provide a “new lease of life” for ageing assets. In turn, this could also lead to a cost-effective fleet modernisation.

One expert cited in the report also adds that while new diesel engines might be capable of matching the performance of an EV conversion, the latter would offer significantly lower fuel and maintenance cost over the long term.

Industry experts quoted in said feature report even argue that such conversions can enable more effective fleet modernisation, especially with government incentives are provided.

Said expert continued by noting further that an EV powertrain stands more favourable when fleet-wide operational cost savings and potential government incentives were to be considered over the long-term.

This view also comes Rapid Bus not disclosing any estimated cost figures for the pilot POC project mentioned. As for range concern, the same expert quoted had suggested the adoption of modular battery designs as as viable step.

The latter is beneficial as it allows the manufacturers to adjust battery capacities based on their clients’ requirements. It believed that Rapid Bus requires roughly 250 KM per charge to cover daily operations – comparable to diesel-powered buses.

Besides that, the feature report also draws parallels from similar efforts overseas – Malaysia isn’t the only nation electrifying old diesel buses. Examples of operators enacting similar shifts in China and Australia were touted, both with government support.