First Bus places one of UK’s largest ever EV bus orders with Wrightbus

 First Bus places one of UK’s largest ever EV bus orders with Wrightbus

 

  • Largest ever UK EV bus order outside of London

  • UK-built buses will secure green jobs in the UK

  • Includes introduction of world’s most efficient double-decker buses

  • A total investment of £81m in new Zero Emission vehicles to support bus services across England split between First Bus and the Department for Transport.

 

First Bus has placed one of UK’s largest Electric Vehicle (EV) bus orders with UK manufacturer Wrightbus, following successful bids with Local Authorities as part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funding scheme.

The £81m order, totalling 193 buses, is the largest EV bus purchase outside of London and will see new zero emission buses being rolled out across England from March 2023.

First Bus will invest £43m in the new vehicles and will be supported to complete the electric fleet project with a £38m grant from the DfT.

First Bus has worked closely with five Local Authority partners to secure the funding, which helps to bridge the gap between the cost of a Euro VI diesel bus and the EV equivalent as well as the relevant infrastructure costs necessary to charge the vehicles.

The order will be split between the following five areas;

 

  • Leicester (68 buses) in partnership with Leicester City Council.

  • York (44 Buses) in partnership with City of York Council.

  • Leeds (32 Buses) in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

  • Norwich (15 Buses) in partnership with Norfolk County Council.

  • Portsmouth (34 Buses) in partnership with Portsmouth City Council & Hampshire County Council.

 

Each regional project will be completed over the course of the next two years. It means that First Bus will have over 500 EV buses in operation in what is a huge leap forward towards their pledge of an entirely zero emission fleet by 2035.

The new EV buses will be fully built in Northern Ireland at the Wrightbus facility in Ballymena in a significant boost for the UK economy and the manufacturing sector.

This latest partnership between First Bus and Wrightbus comes following the successful rollout of the world’s first double-decker Hydrogen buses in Aberdeen in 2020.

As one of the UK’s largest bus operators, First Bus will also work with the Ballymena-based bus builder to help upskill current and new engineers alike to help take their people on this decarbonisation journey with them. This will allow First Bus and Wrightbus to create new green jobs, as well as enhancing skillsets for existing staff.

 

First Bus UK, Managing Director, Janette Bell, said: “We are absolutely delighted to place our largest ever Zero Emission Vehicle order and to do so with a UK manufacturer. Wrightbus have a really exciting product that we feel will enhance the customer experience at the same time as benefitting the environment.

“As leaders in sustainable mobility, we are fully aligned with the Government’s ambitions for a net-zero carbon transport system, including zero-emission bus fleets. We will continue to work closely with central and Local Government across the UK to support the delivery of our shared decarbonisation ambitions and commitments.”

 

Ben Werth, Chief Commercial Officer at Wrightbus, said: "This is another significant deal for Wrightbus - the largest zero emissions bus order outside of London - and we are delighted to once again be partnering with First Bus in the drive to zero-emission public transport. First Bus, like us, is consistently on the forefront of new and exciting technology and at the forefront of zero- and low-emission travel.

“All of the buses - the GB Kite Electroliner BEV and the StreetDeck Electroliner BEV, which is the world's most efficient double decker battery-electric bus - will be manufactured and assembled at our Ballymena factory, which means support for jobs in NI, and wider across the UK through our domestic supply chain.

“2022 has been a remarkable year for Wrightbus so far, as this deal comes after our recent, historic deals with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Australia and Germany. This latest deal with First Bus strengthens the reputation we have forged in the zero-emission transport sector and will help play an important part in the UK’s ambitions for decarbonisation.”

 

Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: “It’s fantastic to see First Bus place the largest ever order of electric buses outside London, thanks to investment from our £270 million scheme.

“This marks a key stepping-stone towards our National Bus Strategy commitment of funding 4,000 zero-emissions buses, as we decarbonise and level up transport across the country.

“Not only does it drive forward our journey to Net Zero, but will also support hundreds of green, high-skilled jobs in the UK.”

 

Read more

Group of people wearing high vis safety wear standing in front of a bus

First Bus launches all-electric fleet depot after investing in Wrightbus’s ZE buses

Read on
blue double deck bus driving along a country road, photograph has been taken by a drone

Wrightbus’s zero-emissions vehicle being trialled in Dorset

Read on
group of men standing in front of a factory entrance. a black and white sign in background reads 'Wrightbus'

Wrightbus secures new European order for hydrogen buses

Read on
Eine Gruppe Männer steht vor einer Fabrik

Wrightbus sichert sich neuen Auftrag für 28 Wasserstoffbusse

Read on
red double deck electric bus

Wrightbus secures new deal to deliver zero-emission buses to London

Read on
Group of men standing in a bus factory smiling at the camera

Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary hails green innovation at Wrightbus

Read on
red double deck electric bus

Wrightbus secures new Arriva London order

Read on
group of men standing in front of a double deck electric bus

Wrightbus Electroliners launched in Oxford

Read on
blue double deck bus driving along a road

Go-Ahead London trial Wrightbus Electroliner

Read on
two grey battery electric double deck buses

Oxford continues charge to net zero with launch of Wrightbus’s fully electric buses

Read on
red single deck bus

Wrightbus secures further orders with transport operator Abellio

Read on
two men standing in front of a green double decker electric bus

Northern Ireland Minister hails green innovation at Wrightbus

Read on
red double decker bus for Arriva London

Wrightbus Secure New Arriva London Electroliner Order

Read on
purple and grey double decker bus parked in front of a tower with stormy sky in the background

Wrightbus’s zero-emission vehicles set to hit the streets of Norwich

Read on
green and blue double decker buses driving along a country road

Zero Emission Fleet Covers 6 Million Miles

Read on
group of men standing at entrance to Wrightbus factory beside a sign that reads welcome to wrightbus in the German language

Wrightbus lands significant order for hydrogen-powered buses from Germany

Read on
Hydroliner show bus parked in front of Pierhead Building

Wrightbus to showcase benefits of hydrogen at Welsh show

Read on
blue double deck bus, the bus is a battery electric bus called Electroliner

Preparations gather pace for roll out of Wrightbus’s zero-emission buses in Oxford

Read on
Green hydrogen double deck bus

Wrightbus Sizewell C Hydrogen Bus Deal

Read on
men standing in front of a green double deck bus

Wrightbus’s first ever double-deck electric ‘low bridge’ buses launched in Leicester

Read on
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Jean-Marc Gales shaking hands in front of a green and yellow double deck bus

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pays tribute to Wrightbus

Read on
grey and purple double deck buses parked in front of a castle

Wrightbus Electroliner buses launched in York

Read on
Photo of Mick Campbell at Wrightbus

Wrightbus strengthens team with key new appointment

Read on
interior of bus factory production line

Hundreds of new jobs at Wrightbus

Read on
Alex Gadd AllServiceOne

New Appointment at AllServiceOne.

Read on
school assembly hall with pupils and speaker

Wrightbus Educating the Next Generation

Read on
group of people standing in front of hydrogen single deck bus

Go-Ahead Group Launch Pioneering Hydrogen Bus Fleet

Read on
man standing in front of wrightbus sign

Wrightbus strengthens sales team with key new appointment

Read on
Pat McFadden with Wrightbus senior management

Labour Treasury Chief Visits Wrightbus

Read on
Lord Johnson and Wrightbus senior management

Minister of State for Investment Lord Johnson Visits Wrightbus

Read on
translink EV Bus launch at Guildhall

Translink unveils new zero emission Foyle Metro bus fleet

Read on
wrightbus double deck and single deck battery electric buses

Wrightbus hit new green milestone

Read on
Peter Kyle MP visiting Wrightbus

Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Visits Wrightbus

Read on
wrightbus zero emission buses

Wrightbus zero-emission fleet hits the four million miles mark

Read on
green hydroliner bus from wrightbus

Wrightbus awarded £12 million funding for NextGenZEB Project

Read on
Jean-Marc Gales Wrightbus CEO

New Chief Executive appointed to Wrightbus

Read on
stagecoach wrightbus

Wrightbus secures new deal to deliver zero emission buses to London

Read on
Students and Wrightbus team with electric race car at Queens University

University students on the fast track to success thanks to Wrightbus racing car sponsorship

Read on
arriva wrightbus double deck electric bus

Arriva London makes further commitment to delivering a sustainable bus network across London.

Read on
wrightbus factory site ballymena

Funding Award For Ballymena Hydrogen Production Facility at Wrightbus Site

Read on
first group electric single deck bus

Wrightbus secures new deal to deliver zero emission buses to Leicester

Read on
first group wrightbus buses in countryside

£25 million to boost roll-out of British-made green buses around the country

Read on
Nicola McCloskey HR director at Wrightbus

Recruitment Evening Encourages More Women Into The Workplace

Read on
Secretary of State for Transport with Ian Gillot and Robert Best from Wrightbus

Transport Secretary hails hydrogen bus production at Wrightbus

Read on
aerial view of wrightbus site

Plans announced for state-of-the-art green hydrogen project at Wrightbus Ballymena

Read on
wrightbus zero emission double decker buses

Wrightbus Zero Emission Fleet Hits The Three Million Mark

Read on
wrightbus and go ahead Oxford

Go-Ahead Group orders 104 Wrightbus Electroliners

Read on
Steve Jackson outside Wrightbus

Wrightbus welcome new UK Sales Manager

Read on
Photo of Norman Stephens outside Wrightbus

Fostering is next stop for Norman after 30 years at Wrightbus

Read on
Rock Road Funding for Wrightbus Electroliners

Rock Road Funding for Wrightbus Abellio Electroliners

Read on
Battery Boxes given fresh lease of life

Battery Boxes given fresh lease of life

Read on
Metroline places order with Wrightbus for zero-emissions buses

Metroline places order with Wrightbus for zero-emissions buses

Read on
Wrightbus Hydrogen Fleet cover 1.5 Million Miles

Wrightbus Hydrogen Fleet cover 1.5 Million Miles

Read on
1,000th employee joins Wrightbus

1,000th employee joins Wrightbus

Read on
GLASGOW OPEN TOP BUSES WILL SOON BE ONE OF THE GREENEST TOURS IN THE WORLD 

GLASGOW OPEN TOP BUSES WILL SOON BE ONE OF THE GREENEST TOURS IN THE WORLD 

Read on
AllServiceOne Launch

AllServiceOne Official Launch

Read on
Zero-emission fleet hits the 2 million mile mark

Zero-emission fleet hits the 2 million mile mark

Read on
Translink signs contract with Wrightbus for 100 new Zero Emission buses

Translink signs contract with Wrightbus for 100 new Zero Emission buses

Read on
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland visits Wrightbus

Secretary of State visits Wrightbus

Read on
Wrightbus will be “among the very best” showcasing benefits of hydrogen at both Labour and Conservative conferences

Wrightbus showcasing benefits of Hydrogen at Labour & Conservative Conferences

Read on
Wrightbus named winners at Responsible Business Awards

Wrightbus named winners at Responsible Business Awards

Read on
Wrightbus to supply hydrogen cell technology to leading Australian bus operator

Wrightbus to supply hydrogen cell technology to leading Australian bus operator

Read on
The new Chief Executive of Wrightbus takes up post

The new Chief Executive of Wrightbus takes up post

Read on
Wrightbus appoints new Head of Business Development for Parts and Services

New Head of Business Development for Parts and Services

Read on
Family Fun Day says 'thank you' to Wrightbus Employees

Family Fun Day says 'thank you' to Wrightbus Employees

Read on
Wrightbus staff form Guard of Honour in tribute to founder Sir William Wright

Wrightbus staff form Guard of Honour in tribute to founder Sir William Wright

Read on
Jo Bamford praises legacy of Sir William Wright

Wrightbus Boss Jo Bamford praises legacy of Sir William Wright

Read on
Wrightbus announced as Ballymena United sponsors for next two football seasons

Wrightbus announced as Ballymena United sponsors for next two football seasons

Read on
New Sales Director joins the Wrightbus team

New Sales Director for Parts & Services joins the Wrightbus team

Read on
Sales team expansion as Wrightbus continues to grow

Sales team expansion as Wrightbus continues to grow

Read on
Continued growth sees Wrightbus open onsite recruitment office

Wrightbus open onsite recruitment office

Read on
Minister for Investment visits world-leading Wrightbus hot on the heels of historic NTA deal

Minister for Investment visits Wrightbus

Read on
NTA Announces Historic Agreement for 800 Battery-Electric Double-Deck Buses

NTA Announces Historic Agreement for 800 Battery-Electric Double-Deck Buses

Read on
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd visits Wrightbus to hear about technologies used in delivering zero-emission buses

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd visits Wrightbus

Read on
Wrightbus lands German deal for up to 60 hydrogen buses

Wrightbus lands German deal for up to 60 hydrogen buses

Read on
Pioneering Wrightbus technology WB UPTIME 365 now brings even more benefits

Pioneering Wrightbus Technology WB UPTIME 365

Read on
Wrightbus signs landmark deal with Australia’s leading bus body manufacturer Volgren

Wrightbus signs landmark deal with Australia’s leading bus body manufacturer Volgren

Read on
Tests show Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner is officially world’s most efficient double deck battery-electric bus

Wrightbus Electroliner Officially World’s Most Efficient Double Deck Battery-Electric Bus

Read on
Wrightbus Zero-emission hydrogen buses travel 1 million miles

Wrightbus Zero-Emission Hydrogen Buses Travel 1 Million Miles

Read on
Wrightbus eyes European expansion with new Chief Commercial Officer appointment

Wrightbus Chief Commercial Officer appointment

Read on
World-leading Wrightbus Electroliner on UK Tour

World-leading Wrightbus Electroliner on UK Tour

Read on
Minister of State for Northern Ireland Visits Wrightbus

Minister of State for Northern Ireland Visits Wrightbus

Read on
First new electric Wrightbus double deckers set to enter passenger service

The first Wrightbus Electroliners set to enter passenger service in Belfast

Read on
Buta Atwal Signs Diversity Pledge

Buta Atwal Signs Diversity Pledge

Read on
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon Visits Wrightbus

Infrastructure Minister Visits Wrightbus

Read on
Mayor of London Visits Wrightbus

Mayor of London Visits Wrightbus

Read on
Wrightbus join the Jobstart Scheme Nicola McCloskey HR Director

Wrightbus join the Jobstart Scheme

Read on
Wrightbus recruitment drive for apprentices

Wrightbus recruitment drive for apprentices

Read on
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons visits Wrightbus

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons visits Wrightbus

Read on
Recruitment drive huge success for leading bus manufacturer Wrightbus

Recruitment drive a huge success

Read on
Recruitment drive continues at leading bus manufacturer Wrightbus

Recruitment drive continues at leading bus manufacturer Wrightbus

Read on
Hydrogen-powered buses on the streets of the West Midlands for the first time.

Hydrogen-powered buses on the streets of the West Midlands for the first time.

Read on
First Minister Visits Wrightbus

First Minister Visits Wrightbus

Read on
Wrightbus Hydrogen Bus Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

Wrightbus Hydrogen Bus Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

Read on
Go-Ahead buys its first zero emission hydrogen buses

Go-Ahead buys its first zero emission hydrogen buses

Read on
Mallon unveils the first in Ireland Battery Electric Double Decker Bus for Public Transport

Mallon unveils the first in Ireland Battery Electric Double Decker Bus for Public Transport

Read on
Fortescue Future Industries joins hand with JCB and Ryze Hydrogen

Fortescue Future Industries joins hand with JCB and Ryze Hydrogen

Read on
Wrightbus prevents one million kgs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere

Wrightbus prevents one million kgs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere

Read on
The UK Hydrogen Roadshow shines spotlight on low carbon hydrogen innovation across the UK

The UK Hydrogen Roadshow shines spotlight on low carbon hydrogen innovation

Read on
Wrightbus honoured to showcase to the world

Wrightbus honoured to showcase to the world

Read on
Wrightbus to showcase two new zero-emission buses

Wrightbus to showcase two new zero-emission buses

Read on
Wrightbus creates hundreds of permanent jobs as bus orders flood in

Wrightbus creates hundreds of permanent jobs as bus orders flood in

Read on
Minister Poots visits Wrightbus to discuss its plans for green hydrogen economy

Minister Poots visits Wrightbus to discuss its plans for green hydrogen economy

Read on
Wrightbus owner Jo Bamford launched FUZE today

Wrightbus owner Jo Bamford launched FUZE today

Read on
New MD with global ambition joins Wrightbus

New MD joins Wrightbus

Read on
Driving towards a sustainable future at full pace

Wrightbus has developed a bus that is ahead of its time.

Read on
Our advanced AI-driven telematics system – WB UPTIME 365

Our new telemetry system is packed with world-class features

Read on
World-class features meet low-emission technology

The new EV double deck is the ideal futuristic ride

Read on
Mayor launches England’s

Hydrogen-powered double decks have arrived in England

Read on