- Wrightbus’s NewPower initiative aims to replace diesel engines with zero-emission electric powertrains, decarbonising bus fleets cost-effectively.
- The conversion process takes three weeks, handles six buses at a time, and allows up to 500 annual conversions.
- Wrightbus plans to grow from 900 to 2,000 zero-emission buses next year, boosting jobs in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
Wrightbus enters the world of converted buses with NewPower
Wrightbus has unveiled NewPower, an initiative to replace older diesel engines with zero-emission electric powertrains. Operating from Bicester, Oxfordshire, NewPower aims to decarbonise bus fleets at a fraction of the cost of new buses.
Wrightbus is the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to offer such a re-powering service. The conversion process takes as little as three weeks. What’s more, Wrightbus has the capacity to work on six buses at a time. This setup allows for the potential conversion of up to 500 buses annually.
NewPower has enhanced its team with senior hires from prestigious automotive firms such as Land Rover, BMW, and McLaren. Initially creating 22 jobs, the team is expected to expand to 65 by the end of the year. Wrightbus also has ambitious plans for further job creation and European expansion.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, commented:
“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.
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.
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.”
With 200 zero-emission buses on the road a year ago, the company now boasts over 900, aiming to reach 2,000 next year. This rapid expansion supports jobs in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. This new venture is sure to continue that growth. The diesel conversion market is not new, with several specialist companies operating in the UK alone. However, becoming the first OEM to take on the process is a sure sign of its validity and operational effectiveness.
