Wrightbus launches fully-electric bus and truck brand, Rightech

  • Leading UK bus manufacturer, Wrightbus, has has announced a new subbrand called Rightech, which focuses exclusively on zero-emission truck and bus offerings, and will provide ‘affordable options for operators to instantly decarbonise their fleets’.
  • While Wrightbus is already producing fully-electric buses, it marks the firm’s first entry into the fully-electric truck market, with Rightech’s new 7.5 tonne offering.
  • Rightech is initially launching with four electric models, set to be sold across Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe: an electric bus available in both six and nine metre length, and its 7.5 tonne electric truck available in both left and right-hand drive.

Wrightbus expands in the EV sector

The new vehicles have come to market through the help of of two Chinese manufacturers, who provide the basis for the new vehicles. Wrightbus is confident that these EVs will be up to scratch however, noting that it has independently tested, homologated, designed, and validated every component on the new vehicles. The manufacturer also notes that it has already secured orders for Rightech models across its target territories.

Pictured: The Rightech RB6, a fully-electric, compact six-metre bus

Wrightbus’s existing presence across Europe should also make these new models an easier sell to customers, as it has been able to quickly implement service providers for the vehicles across both the UK and Europe. Prices for the models have not been made public, but Wrightbus have leaned heavily into these being ‘affordable options’ – so we’re likely to see them match or undercut rivals when it comes to cost.

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Wrightbus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, said on the new Rightech launch:

“Wrightbus has been flying the flag for zero emissions long before anyone else. Our hydrogen double-decker was the world’s first and we have 1,700 electric buses on the road, covering millions of miles across the UK and Europe with an in-service availability of 98.6%. 43% of every Wrightbus comes from suppliers in the UK. It directly employs more than 2,200 people in the UK with a further 6,600 jobs in the supply chain. This trend will continue.

However, we want to be a global mobility business and to do this we need to broaden our product portfolio. Our factory continues to increase production of full-size single and double-deck buses but to meet demand in the zero-emission midi-bus sector this partnership makes sense. The quickest way to decarbonise truck and bus fleets is to electrify immediately. Rightech will solve these problems, backed by our portfolio of net-zero companies which will provide more jobs and opportunities for our workforce in Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK and Europe.”

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