Minister for Investment Lord Grimstone has visited leading bus manufacturer Wrightbus just days after the Northern Ireland firm announced a third major deal in a month.
During his visit, the Minister and colleagues from the Department for International Trade, were able to see first-hand the technologies behind the company’s groundbreaking zero-emission buses and hear all about the benefits for the Northern Ireland economy.
The Minister’s visit followed Monday’s announcement that the Ballymena-based firm has signed a deal to build an initial 120 buses for the Republic of Ireland’s National Transport Authority (NTA). The 120 buses are part of a framework agreement which provides for the procurement of up to 800 zero-emission battery-electric buses over a period of five years.
Certified as the world’s most efficient double-decker battery electric buses – Streetdeck Electroliner BEVs – will be manufactured and assembled at the Wrightbus facility in Ballymena and will be the first battery-electric double-deck buses to be added to the national bus fleet in the Republic of Ireland. Their addition will deliver a significant uplift in the proportion of low- or zero-emission buses within that fleet.
Last month Wrightbus announced major deals with Australia’s leading bus body manufacturer Volgren and German Bus operator Regionalverkehr Köln GmbH (RVK).
Neil Collins, Managing Director of Wrightbus, said: “The timing of Lord Grimstone’s visit, coming hot on the heels of Monday’s announcement and on the back of two significant international deals, could not have been better.
“We were able to discuss with the Minister our forthcoming investment and job creation plans in both hydrogen and electric vehicle technology and how we are taking steps to support a UK supply chain. We also discussed our ambition to be at the centre of delivering more sustainable modes of transport in our cities and towns, as well as other areas around the world.”
Following the visit, Lord Grimstone said: “I’m delighted to see Wrightbus continuing their export ambitions through securing a major deal to sell ground-breaking zero-emission buses in Australia. The Ballymena-based firm’s buses will soon be the first of their kind built in Australia. “
“Wrightbus’s partnership with leading Australian bus manufacturer Volgren is a prime example of how Northern Ireland businesses can benefit from the UK-Australia trade deal, which will slash tariffs on bus parts and reduce tariffs on electric vehicles to 0%.
“It’s trade deals like this that will supercharge future investments and give companies in Northern Ireland unprecedented access to new markets, creating jobs, boosting wages and growing the economy.”
Read more
Wrightbus secures new deal to deliver zero emission buses to Leicester
Read on
£25 million to boost roll-out of British-made green buses around the country
Read on
Recruitment Evening Encourages More Women Into The Workplace
Read on
Transport Secretary hails hydrogen bus production at Wrightbus
Read on
Plans announced for state-of-the-art green hydrogen project at Wrightbus Ballymena
Read on
Fostering is next stop for Norman after 30 years at Wrightbus
Read on
Metroline places order with Wrightbus for zero-emissions buses
Read on
GLASGOW OPEN TOP BUSES WILL SOON BE ONE OF THE GREENEST TOURS IN THE WORLD
Read on
Translink signs contract with Wrightbus for 100 new Zero Emission buses
Read on
Wrightbus showcasing benefits of Hydrogen at Labour & Conservative Conferences
Read on
Wrightbus to supply hydrogen cell technology to leading Australian bus operator
Read on
First Bus places one of UK’s largest ever EV bus orders with Wrightbus
Read on
Wrightbus staff form Guard of Honour in tribute to founder Sir William Wright
Read on
Wrightbus announced as Ballymena United sponsors for next two football seasons
Read on
New Sales Director for Parts & Services joins the Wrightbus team
Read on
Buta Atwal, Wrightbus CEO, announces plans to retire at the end of the year.
Read on
NTA Announces Historic Agreement for 800 Battery-Electric Double-Deck Buses
Read on
Wrightbus signs landmark deal with Australia’s leading bus body manufacturer Volgren
Read on
Wrightbus Electroliner Officially World’s Most Efficient Double Deck Battery-Electric Bus
Read on
The first Wrightbus Electroliners set to enter passenger service in Belfast
Read on
Recruitment drive continues at leading bus manufacturer Wrightbus
Read on
Hydrogen-powered buses on the streets of the West Midlands for the first time.
Read on
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
Read on
Wrightbus prevents one million kgs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere
Read on
The UK Hydrogen Roadshow shines spotlight on low carbon hydrogen innovation
Read on
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
Read on
Get in touch
All Service One has been at the forefront of transport innovation since 1946, relentlessly pushing the boundaries with its commitment to quality, style and safety.
Talk to Us Download a brochure