Two trucks – a 7.5 tonne in left-hand and right-hand drive – and two buses – a 6m and a 9m – will be launched under the Ballymena company’s new Rightech brand.
Ryze Power, part of a portfolio of net zero companies run by Wrightbus owner Jo Bamford, will provide class-leading charging infrastructure and expertise, while W-Tech, the technology and research centre set up by Wrightbus in conjunction with Queen’s University Belfast, will help bus and truck operators optimise routes for ultimate efficiency within the fleet.
CEO Jean-Marc Gales said the move would give Wrightbus an added advantage over pure Asian imports which had never previously been supported by dedicated OEM sales and marketing teams, 24/7 service network, telematics software and route optimisation tools.
All new products will be supported by a Wrightbus warranty, service and maintenance package, comprising the largest fleet of mobile technicians in the UK. A service agreement with Sapphire provides an extensive UK network of regional workshops, and additional partnerships with service providers in Germany, France and Benelux, will establish European support.
No time to waste
Bamford, who bought Wrightbus out of administration in 2019, said Rightech would help accelerate the decarbonisation plans for all transport and fleet operators.
“Given the very tangible effects of climate change on our planet there’s simply no time to waste,” he explained pointedly.
“Each one of my businesses is focused on energy transition, from vehicles, hydrogen and sustainable fuels through to supply, distribution and infrastructure. But operators need to act now with affordable solutions in front of them. Rightech has the answer – offering an incredible product with the backing of Britain’s best bus manufacturer.”
With OEM sourcing proving the fastest route to market, a strategic framework agreement with two Chinese manufacturers provides the basis for the new products, with Wrightbus engineers having invested more than 30,000 hours to bring the fleet up to the Wrightbus standard – independently testing, homologating, designing and validating every element.
The launch follows a period of record growth for Wrightbus, which was named the fastest-growing bus manufacturer in Europe and now boasts 2,200 employees.
Electrify immediately
Mr Gales, who has spent four decades working across the automotive sector in trucks, cars and buses, added: “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.
“Supplying everything from product to infrastructure, Rightech will remove the barriers to electrification and provide more jobs and opportunities for our workforce in Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK and Europe.”
A spokesperson for Sapphire said: “Our aim is to help the transport industry drive carbon reduction with this partnership, integrating electrified transport initiatives into existing innovative solutions and services to support those fleets making the imperative transition to alternative fuel vehicle operating profiles.”
Image provided by Rightech.