The Ballymena company has launched an upgraded version of its hydrogen double-decker, which has been on the market since 2020
Wrightbus has taken the wraps off the latest version of its hydrogen double-deck bus, unveiling the upgraded Streetdeck Hydroliner Gen 2.0. The company says the new vehicle is more fuel efficient, easier to maintain, has a greater range, costs less and can carry more passengers than its predecessor, which was launched in 2020.
Part-funded by the UK Government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, the four-year project has seen engineering experts from Wrightbus completely redesign the vehicle from the ground up. A consortium of partners including Grayson Thermal Systems, Queen’s University, Belfast, Hygen and Translink worked together with the aim of strengthening UK based manufacturing capabilities to produce the zero-emission technology at scale. Using the latest innovative hydrogen-powertrain innovations and technology, Wrightbus says the latest incarnation can be refuelled in just eight minutes and has a range of over 300 miles, making it a like-for-like replacement to diesel. Featuring a new fuel-cell from Ballard, the bus was unveiled at an event at the Wrightbus factory on Thursday 20 February.
Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said: “We are delighted to unveil our next-generation hydrogen bus, which really showcases the breadth of knowledge and innovation we have here in Northern Ireland at Wrightbus, and in our UK supply-chain partners. Our development team has ensured this flagship bus is more efficient, travels further, costs less and is easier to service and maintain, and we are grateful to the APC and the Department for Business and Trade for their assistance with funding half of this project.
“Alongside our market-leading EV bus, 95% of all buses produced by Wrightbus at our Ballymena factory are now zero emissions – a marked change from 2019, when 95% of all orders were for diesels.” Stakeholder Engagement Director at the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK Philippa Oldham added: “This fuel-cell powered bus shows the opportunity to commercialise this technology. Buses are an integral part of the public transport network, with over 30,000 diesel buses operating across the UK and Ireland. Buses around the globe have to operate within a variety of constraints, whether it be related to topography or loading demands. This means that there needs to be a variety of options for this sector and the success from this project shows that hydrogen fuel-cell technology is a great solution.
“We are excited to see the fruits of this investment from both industry and government.”
North Antrim MP Jim Allister, who attended the launch, commented: “I’m delighted to witness another chapter of the Wrightbus success story, particularly in regards its innovative leadership in the hydrogen sector. Wrightbus is a remarkable story. Since it was rejuvenated under its current ownership, it has gone from strength-to-strength – not just in the number of jobs it has created, but in terms of technology and achievements, where it is leading the world in hydrogen technology.
“This is a sector that has unlimited potential going forward and it’s great to see Wrightbus in it at the ground floor building so successfully.
“It’s a really good news story not only for North Antrim, but for the whole of Northern Ireland.”
