9th June 2023
Sir John Whittingdale visited Kleanbus at Stud Farm, Mundon Road, Maldon. Kleanbus is a start-up company which converts diesel buses into electric-powered buses using a prefabricated drive train. John met CEO Joe Tighe, Managing Director John Holland and Director of Social Environmental Governance Lucy Parkin. He was taken for a ride in their demonstration vehicle, a diesel Optare Solo which has been repowered to be 100 per cent electric.
John said:
“Diesel buses are responsible for a lot of pollution and carbon-emissions and we have to find alternatives if we are to meet our net zero target. It is fantastic that a company in Maldon has developed an efficient and simple way to convert a diesel bus to electric power at low cost and in a matter of hours. I am not surprised that their products are attracting interest not just from across the UK but around the world.”
![](https://www.johnwhittingdale.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kleanbus.jpg)
John is pictured with Managing Director, John Holland next to the Optare Demonstration bus.