Optare Versa V1040EV UK-spec (B32F) '12.2013

#SABVW0MC0DS320649 YD63VAE (B32F) '12.2013

Optare has won the ‘Excellence in Technology’ category at this year’s National Transport Awards with its Versa EV electric bus incorporating fast charging technology.

This is the third time that Optare has won an award for its EV technology. Last year it won the highly prestigious Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders Innovation Award and in 2010 its Solo EV model won a Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Environmental Improvement award.

It was the only bus manufacturer amongst the winners and fought off tough competition in its category from five finalists amongst which was Transport for London and two large regional Integrated Transport Authorities.

The model put forward by Optare for a National Transport Award is their Versa EV vehicle equipped with fast-charging technology to extend its daily range. The Versa EV is a full-size, single deck bus capable of carrying around 50 passengers, depending on seating configuration and the model is in service in Coventry with ten soon to enter service in Nottingham.

The operational range is between 75 and 95 miles on a single overnight charge which takes around six hours from zero to full capacity, however, the development of fast charge systems now enables batteries to be fully replenished in under two hours. This allows for ‘opportunity charging’ to take place during the working day and effectively double the range, making the Versa EV viable across a much wider spread of public transport operations.

https://www.optare.com/news/general/optare-versa-electric-bus-is-winner-at-national-transport-awards-2013