Golden Tours is proud to announce the introduction of the world’s first fully electric converted Routemaster bus, marking a major milestone in sustainable sightseeing and the evolution of one of London’s most iconic vehicles.
This pioneering vehicle will soon take to the streets of London, offering visitors and locals a truly unique sightseeing experience, combining the timeless charm of the classic Routemaster with cutting-edge zero-emission technology.
The project has been delivered in partnership with leading UK electric vehicle specialist Magtec, which has successfully transformed the historic bus into a fully electric platform while preserving its unmistakable design and heritage.
The Routemaster has undergone a full electric conversion, including the integration of a 200kWh battery system, providing substantial onboard energy capacity and enabling completely emission-free operation. The vehicle has also been fitted with a modern digital dashboard, enhancing driver control and performance monitoring.
Following over 500 miles of rigorous testing and validation, the bus is now ready to enter service, setting a new standard for sustainable tourism transport in London.
This landmark vehicle will sit alongside Golden Tours’ growing fleet of electric vehicles, reinforcing the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing emissions and investing in cleaner, greener transport solutions across its operations.
Mikesh Palan, CEO of Golden Tours, commented:
We are incredibly proud to be introducing the first-ever electric Routemaster to London’s
streets. This project represents the perfect blend of heritage and innovation—preserving an
icon of London while embracing a more sustainable future.At Golden Tours, we are committed to enhancing the visitor experience while reducing our
environmental impact, and this vehicle is a major step forward in that journey.
Marcus Jenkins, founder and director of Magtec, added:
Transforming this iconic Routemaster into a fully electric vehicle while preserving everything that makes it recognisable is the kind of unique engineering challenge that
Magtec excels at solving.We’re proud to have brought this historic vehicle into the electric age with a 200kWh battery system, modern driver controls, and the performance needed for daily operations. It demonstrates what British engineering innovation can achieve in making transport more
sustainable in towns and cities.
The electric Routemaster will soon be integrated into Golden Tours’ sightseeing operations, offering passengers a cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable way to explore London, without compromising on the nostalgia and visual appeal of one of the capital’s most beloved vehicles.
Author: Helen Leigh
