International sightseeing bus operator Tootbus has announced a collaboration with e-fleet solutions provider VEV, beginning with VEV delivering 100% renewable power and 10 chargers for Tootbus EV buses. Tootbus is the world’s first clean energy sightseeing bus company and is a leading operator of hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tours in Bath, London, Paris, and Brussels. Tootbus has been investing in its green strategy since 2021 when it converted to HVO fuel, which reduces CO2 emissions by 90%. Moving to the next phase with electric vehicles (EVs), Tootbus has appointed VEV to develop the overall fleet electrification plan.
Starting this month, VEV is enabling Tootbus to power their current electric fleet consisting of three vehicles, with 100% renewable power and installing the first 10 EV chargers. Subject to planning permission and surveys, VEV will install solar power generation at the Tootbus Wandsworth depot to generate 65,000kwh. This could power 60,000km of sightseeing bus travel, which will not only be 100% green but also reduce the load drawn from the National Grid.
Tootbus will leverage the VEV-IQ smart energy management platform. VEV’s proprietary system enables fleet operators to monitor power supply, charging infrastructure and vehicle usage to keep their fleets on the road and maximise energy efficiency.
“Green tourism is at the heart of our business strategy and is an important investment for us,” said Gavin Brooking, Managing Director, Tootbus UK. “We recognised the enormous potential that switching to a complete end-to-end sustainable electric fleet could have in helping us achieve our emissions-reduction goals. With its extensive expertise in the sector of smart energy management, VEV is an ideal like-minded partner for us with a bespoke, turnkey solution.”
VEV’s end-to-end electrification solution will help Tootbus continue to reduce its carbon output, with carbon emissions expected to decrease by 15,567kg per year from the plan. By 2029, Tootbus’ fleet will be fully electric – with a mix of buses converted from HVO to electric and brand new EVs, hitting this goal way ahead of the Mayoral push for green vehicles in London.
“The bus and tourism sectors have a critical role to play in helping to decarbonise UK roads,” said Mike Nakrani, CEO of VEV. “As the transition to electrification is set to gain pace over the immediate and longer-term future, leading players in these sectors have recognised that going green is not only the right thing to do but is also a competitive advantage and are keen to make the switch as soon as possible.”
