ABC Companies will soon be the first to offer a motorcoach diesel-to-electric-repower program for North American operators.

Together with Lightning eMotors, formerly known as Lightning Systems, the partners have created a five-step process for identifying, assessing, and converting a wide range of “donor” diesel coach models that fit the criteria for fast-track battery electric conversion. The repower kits are engineered by Lightning eMotors and will be installed by ABC technicians. The program will launch under ABC Companies Specialty Vehicles and Technologies (SVT) division, underscoring the company’s focus on lowering EV market cost of entry barriers for coach operators.

“Although the pandemic has impacted the motorcoach market, we are working to get traditional vehicles back on the road, while investing now with innovative new solutions which will address customers’ needs for environmentally-friendly vehicles as the industry begins to recover,” said Roman Cornell, president and CCO of ABC Companies.

Cornell cited reduced total cost of ownership and monetizing older assets as tangible benefits when specifically looking to add EV repower to fleets.

In addition to providing a full range of motorcoach zero emission vehicle repower options, ABC will also be an authorized referral agent for repowering many popular shuttle vans and cutaway applications, such as the Lightning Ford Transit passenger van, E-450, and F-550 chassis.

“The ability to assist in electric repowered solutions for our customers using these popular vehicles made Lightning eMotors a great fit for ABC Companies,” Cornell said. “Many of our customers utilize these smaller vehicles for various short distance routes, such as airport runs and hotel shuttles, as well as last-mile services for smaller groups.”

The first repowered motorcoach, a 2012 Van Hool T2145, will be going into operation in the San Francisco area this month. ABC will also debut its first fully battery-electric OEM-produced Van Hool motorcoach later in 2020, the Van Hool CX45E.