Wrightbus Launches New Electric Bus Engine Service
Bus innovation leader Wrightbus has announced a decarbonisation initiative called NewPower.
This new service tackles climate change by replacing polluting diesel engines in older buses with clean, electric powertrains.
Located in a high-tech facility in Bicester, Oxfordshire, NewPower offers a cost-effective alternative to purchasing entirely new buses. This empowers bus operators with mid-life fleets to make the switch to zero-emissions technology at a very low price point.
Wrightbus, the first manufacturer to offer this re-powering service, leverages its unique expertise. Their team of 1,800 skilled technicians, who built the original buses, possess the knowledge to swap diesel engines for electric ones.
This "affordable decarbonisation" solution benefits everyone. Bus companies can achieve instant sustainability by converting their existing fleets, leading to cleaner air in our cities.
The conversion process is remarkably efficient. Engineers estimate it can be completed in just three weeks, with the facility accommodating up to six buses at a time. This rapid turnaround has the potential to decarbonise 500 buses annually.
Building on their achievements of creating the world's first hydrogen bus and the iconic London Routemaster, Wrightbus has ambitious plans for expansion. NewPower signifies not only environmental progress but also job creation and European market growth. The company has already strengthened its team with top talent from top automotive brands like Land Rover, BMW, and McLaren.
The environmental impact is significant. Traditional buses guzzle 40,000 liters of diesel per year. Wrightbus' existing fleet of zero-emission buses, having already travelled over 14 million miles, has prevented a staggering 24,000 tonnes of CO2 from polluting the atmosphere.
“While we are selling new hydrogen and battery-electric buses all over the world there is a huge market of mid-life buses which, once converted, can have an immediate impact on helping to improve air quality in towns and cities up and down the UK,” said Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales.
“We have long been recognised as the world-leading manufacturer of both hydrogen and battery-electric buses and now NewPower will add another string to our bow.”
Wrightbus' leadership in hydrogen and battery-electric bus manufacturing is well-established, and NewPower strengthens their position as a clean transportation leader.
This announcement coincides with a banner year for Wrightbus. They were named the UK's fastest-growing large manufacturer and top bus maker in Europe. Also, they hold the title of the UK's top-selling bus manufacturer in 2024.
“The business is growing very fast and I am really proud of what we have achieved over the last 12 months because every order, whether home or abroad, guarantees jobs back in Ballymena,” Jean-Marc explained.
“We are the number one zero-emissions bus maker in the UK. A year ago, we had 200 zero emission buses on the road. Today, we have over 900 and in the next year we will get to 2,000. No-one else comes close.”
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Source: Wrightbus
