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Tootbus, a prominent sightseeing bus company around Europe, has partnered with electric fleet specialist VEV to deliver more sustainable mobility across its entire operations. Tootbus is currently operating buses that run on hydrotreated vegetable oil but is adopting BEV and solar technology with VEV’s help.

Tootbus describes itself as the world’s first clean energy sightseeing bus company, specializing in hop-on hop-off tours around Europe, including Bath, London, Paris, and Brussels. With such large vehicles in consistent operations, Tootbus has made efforts in recent years to decarbonize its business using cleaner alternatives.

In 2021, Tootbus converted its fleet to HVO fuel, which reduces CO2 emissions by 90% compared to traditional combustion. Additionally, the sightseeing company has deployed three fully electric open-top buses in London with plans for another thirty before the decade’s end.

To reach these sustainability goals, Tootbus has partnered with VEV, a subsidiary of Vitol – a global energy and commodities company – to utilize its end-to-end fleet electrification solutions.

Electric sightseeing bus
Source: Tootbus.com

London’s sightseeing buses are going all-electric

VEV shared details of its new partnership with Tootbus today, in which it anticipates its clean energy solutions can help the sightseeing bus company save 15,567 kg in carbon emissions per year.

VEV will now assist Tootbus in developing and implementing its comprehensive fleet electrification plan, which will begin with the installation of ten initial EV chargers to support the three electric sightseeing buses already operating around London.

Additionally, VEV shared plans to install solar panels atop the Tootbus bus depot in Wandsworth in south London, which, pending permitting, will generate 65,000 kWh of 100% renewable power. VEV states that green energy translates to about 60,000 km (37,280 miles) of all-electric sightseeing bus rides. VEV CEO Mike Nakrani spoke:

The bus and tourism sectors have a critical role to play in helping to decarbonize UK roads. As the transition to electrification is set to gain pace over the immediate and longer-term future, leading players in these sectors have recognized 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. We’re excited to be working with Gavin and his proactive team at Tootbus to demonstrate the invaluable impact that fleet electrification and smart energy management have in helping cities to reduce carbon emissions. We look forward to continuing to support them in leading the way towards more sustainable travel.

In addition to electric sightseeing buses, chargers, and solar-powered depots, Tootbus will also implement its new partner’s VEV-IQ intelligent energy management platform. This will enable fleet operators of the sightseeing bus company to monitor its power supply, charger status, and electric vehicle usage to maximize efficiency.

Together with VEV, Tootbus looks to enter the next phase of its fleet bus conversion plan and become a fully electric company by 2029.

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Tesla offers used car leases with $0 down as it desperately tries move cars

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Tesla offers used car leases with alt=

Tesla has started offering leases of certified pre-owned cars, which is relatively rare in the industry, with $0 down as it desperately tries to move vehicles before the end of the quarter.

With the federal tax credit for electric vehicles set to expire at the end of the quarter, automakers in the US are all trying to optimize EV sales, as demand is being pulled forward.

This also applies to used EVs, as the $4,000 federal incentive for used electric vehicles will also expire on September 30th.

Now, leasing used vehicles is much less common than leasing new cars, but some automakers, or mainly dealers, do offer it.

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Tesla is getting into this business for the first time.

In California and Texas, Tesla is now offering leases on certified pre-owned (aka used) Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.

These are reasonably priced and can be as low as $215 per month with $0 down for a 24-month lease and 10,000 miles per year.

Tesla also offers a 12-month lease and up to 15,000 miles annually. While there’s no down payment needed, there’s an “Acquisition Fee” of $695.

That, and the first month, is all you need to get in a used Tesla for the next year or two.

This is undoubtedly the cheapest way to get into a Tesla vehicle right now.

Tesla is trying to sell as many vehicles as possible in the US this quarter, as demand for EVs has been pulled forward due to the end of the tax credit. This is expected to result in a record quarter in the US, but it also going to create a few difficult ones in the future.

With demand being pulled forward and future buyers feeling like they missed out on EV discounts, the US EV market is expected to experience a significant slowdown over the next 12 to 18 months.

Tesla sales are down about 13% globally so far this year. While this quarter is expected to be better, many analysts still anticipate Tesla’s year-over-year performance to be down.

This year alone, Tesla added more than 50,000 electric vehicles to its inventory.

Used cars have also been piling up.

Tesla owners rushed to sell their vehicles as Tesla’s brand perception dived following its CEO’s involvement in politics.

We previously reported that the average used Tesla sale price has recently dipped below the overall average used car sale price in the US.

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E-quipment highlight: HG E3000 3 tonne electric site dumper

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E-quipment highlight: HG E3000 3 tonne electric site dumper

Danish equipment makers HG build job site dumpers that help move sand, rocks, debris, construction waste, and building supplies across rugged, uneven urban job sites. And with the introduction of their newest E3000 model, they’re helping move more than three tons of that stuff without emissions and — just as crucially — without noise.

HG announced the E3000 electric site dumper just this week, adding the new 3 tonne capacity to its growing lineup of 1 and 2 tonne dumpers (that’s over 6,600 lbs., in “landed on the Moon” units). With a 180° swivel tip on the bucket as standard equipment and an optional high tip version available at launch, it should be able to handle just about anything a hard working construction crew can throw at it.

“With the HG E3000, we once again prove that electric dumpers are not only better for people and the environment. They are also more efficient, cheaper to operate, and can run more than a full working day on a single charge,” explains Nikolaj Birkerod, CEO of HG, told Power Progress. “With 3 tonne dumpers, we are proving, as we already have with 2 tonne dumpers, that we can deliver on both performance and reliability while enabling customers to save 15% per operating hour compared to a diesel dumper.”

Exact specs haven’t been released, but HG claims the E3000’s 29 kWh is good for 12 full hours of continuous, loaded operation, and that it can be fully recharged on a “standard” 220 charger (L2) in about four hours. If you’re curious about what has been released, I’ve got all that for you right here:

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The only all-electric dumper on the market that gives you 12 working hours while carrying 3 tonnes payload.

Our latest addition to accelerate 100% machinery:

  • 3-ton payload for high-capacity material handling
  • 12-hour working – a full day’s work without recharging
  • Optional high tip for quick and flexible unloading into containers and trucks
  • 180° swivel tip as standard for precise placement of loads
  • Fast charging: 0–100% in approx. 4 hours with the integrated charger
  • Lithium 29 kWh battery with automatic heating for all-season use
  • One-pedal drive for smooth and intuitive operation

The E3000 is built for contractors and rental companies who demand maximum productivity without compromising on environmental responsibility.

With a carrying capacity of 3 tonnes and an industry-leading 12 hours of effective runtime on a single charge, it’s proof that heavy-duty work and zero emissions can go hand in hand.

At the heart of the E3000 is HG’s patented articulated drivetrain with four independent in-wheel motors. This unique design delivers the most energy-efficient power transfer in the industry, using significantly less power than conventional electric system. This translates directly into lower operating costs and more hours on site between charges.

HG MACHINES

No word yet on pricing or whether or not the new dumper will eventually be sold outside the European market, but we do know that HG plans to deliver the first examples of its new machine to customers by early 2026.

Electrek’s Take


Meet the world's most energy-efficient 3-tonnes dumper
The only all-electric dumper on the market that gives you 12 working hours while carrying 3 tonnes payload.
E3000 w/ high-tip bucket; via HG.

While there are a lot of people outside the urban construction space who may scoff at environmental concerns, the quest for improved efficiency and cost reduction among commercial fleet managers knows no political ideology. Add in more restrictive noise regulations and the side benefits of improved job site safety and fewer sick days, and electric equipment is a no-brainer.

Simply put: If it’s better or cheaper, fleets will buy it. If it’s better and cheaper, they’ll buy two — and battery powered equipment is proving to be consistently better, in a broader scope of use cases, than diesel.

SOURCES | IMAGES: HG Machines, Power Progress.


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You can lease a Volkswagen ID.4 for nearly half the cost of a Jetta

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You can lease a Volkswagen ID.4 for nearly half the cost of a Jetta

For just $129 per month, the Volkswagen ID.4 might be the best EV lease deal right now. At that, it’s almost half the cost of a new Jetta.

Volkswagen ID.4 is cheaper to lease than a Jetta

After the 2025 model year went on sale, the ID.4 raced out to become the third-best-selling EV in the US in January.

With ultra-low lease prices starting at just $129 per month, it’s no wonder Volkswagen’s electric SUV is flying off the lots.

For a $45,000 SUV, any lease under $200 a month is a steal nowadays. It’s even cheaper than leasing a new Jetta S, despite costing nearly twice as much.

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The deal is for a 24-month lease with a $2,499 due at signing, resulting in an effective monthly cost of $233. To put that into perspective, the 2025 VW Jetta S is listed for lease at $269 for 36 months. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective rate is $380, making the ID.4 a significantly better deal.

Volkswagen-ID.4-lease-Jetta
Volkswagen ID.4 (Source: Volkswagen)

Volkswagen’s deals vary by region. The $129 offer is available in California and a few other West Coast states. In others, it’s listed at $329 for 24 months with $4,499 due at signing.

The Volkswagen ID.4 is available in five different trims: Pro, AWD Pro, Pro S, AWD Pro S, and AWD Pro S Plus. The base 2025 ID.4 PRO RWD starts at $45,095 with up to 291 miles of driving range.

Volkswagen-ID.4-lease-Jetta
Volkswagen ID.4 interior (Source: Volkswagen)

Although the ID.4 lease offer is tempting, Hyundai may still have it beat with the 2025 IONIQ 5 available to lease from $179 per month nationwide.

Volkswagen’s offer ends on September 30, when the federal EV tax credit is set to expire. After that, much of the savings will disappear unless the company steps in with its own incentives.

Ready to snag the savings while they are still available? You can use our link to find and view offers on the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 in your area (via a trusted affiliate link).

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