Image: KleanDriveKleandrive specialises in converting diesel buses to battery-electric drivetrains. As Kleandrive co-founder and CEO Joe Tighe explained in detail in an interview with electrive a few months ago, the company’s retrofit approach allows operators to electrify existing vehicles at lower capital cost than purchasing new battery-electric buses while extending vehicle life cycles and reducing embedded manufacturing emissions. “We aim to be able to repower those vehicles for less than 50% of the value of a new battery electric vehicle, or less in many circumstances,” Tighe said.The acquisition now integrates Kleandrive’s repowering activities into PETL’s wider clean propulsion portfolio. PETL was co-founded by former Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer and develops battery and battery management technologies through its subsidiaries, including Brill Power, a University of Oxford spin-out focused on battery management systems.According to PETL, the acquisition provides ‘vertical reach from battery cell selection and management through to powertrain integration, fleet deployment and aftermarket support.’ The company added that the deal creates a direct deployment channel for its proprietary battery technologies in the heavy-duty transport sector.PETL described heavy-duty buses as one of the most addressable segments for fleet electrification in the UK. While the UK government has set an end date for the sale of new diesel buses and operators continue to expand zero-emission fleets, much of the national bus fleet still relies on diesel powertrains. It shares Tighe’s view that repowering diesel buses offers a commercially viable route to electrification.For PETL, the acquisition also establishes an operational base in electric heavy-duty vehicle conversion and provides access to existing commercial relationships with UK bus operators. The company said the business could expand into adjacent retrofit markets, including coaches, heavy goods vehicles and specialist commercial vehicles.“Repowering existing diesel buses is one of the most cost-effective ways for operators to decarbonise their fleets,” said Andy Palmer, co-founder and CEO of Palmer Energy Technology. “It deserves to be built here, by British engineers and we intend to make sure it is.”PETL added that decisions regarding the future operating structure and brand identity of Kleandrive will be announced at a later stage.Kleandrive entered administration at the end of last month. Prior to the administration process, the company had secured projects with several UK transport operators. In mid-2025, First Bus ordered 30 battery-electric repower packages from Kleandrive for Wrightbus StreetDeck diesel buses. FirstGroup Energy also holds a lead investor position in PETL and had previously invested £1 million in Kleandrive.Alexander Dennis had also announced plans to cooperate with Kleandrive under the AD Repower brand. Following the acquisition, Alexander Dennis stated that it remained committed to delivering AD Repower conversions for operators and would continue discussions with Kleandrive under its new ownership structure.palmerenergytechnology.com, route-one.net
