Northern Ireland Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has visited Wrightbus in Ballymena to see the world-leading technology powering fleets of hydrogen-fuelled buses across the UK and the island of Ireland.
During his visit, Mr Lyons met with Wrightbus CEO Buta Atwal and MD Neil Collins, who explained how the business has been turned around in the past two years and how it is now leading the way in zero emission technology.
The Minister said: “Not only is Wrightbus one of Northern Ireland’s best known global brands, it is strategically important for our economy. It provide several hundred highly skilled jobs in the hydrogen and advanced manufacturing sectors. As such its continued success aligns with both our energy strategy, The Path to Net Zero, and with our 10X Vision for the Northern Ireland economy.
“Its advanced engineering and manufacturing capability is renowned across the globe, especially in terms of Hydrogen Fuel Cell buses. I welcome the firm’s work to decarbonise bus travel as it will lead to a growth in our hydrogen economy which will bring associated economic, employment and research benefits.”
Mr Atwal said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr Lyons to the factory and to discuss with him first hand our vision and plans for Wrightbus to support not only the decarbonisation of public transport across the UK and Ireland on our journey towards net zero emissions, but also the wider Northern Ireland hydrogen economy.
“Northern Ireland’s recently published ‘The Path to Net Zero Energy’ recognised the part that hydrogen can play in reducing the impact of climate change. We believe hydrogen - both through its production and the manufacturing of vehicles, like buses, that use it - represents a substantial economic growth and job creation opportunity for Northern Ireland.
“This is why we welcome the Executive’s new energy strategy and we agreed wholeheartedly with the hydrogen ambitions of Mr Lyons and other ministers to “attract investment into the local economy and position our companies to take advantage of the energy and economic opportunities available on a global scale”.
“Working at scale, Wrightbus has a clear plan in place to reduce the costs of the buses to be comparable to diesel for the total cost of ownership, and help build a domestic supply chain. Wrightbus believes that hydrogen fuel cell buses, manufactured in Ballymena, can and should be used and powered across the world.
“However, as we see growing demand for our hydrogen buses across the island of England, we must ensure this is coupled with growing levels of production of hydrogen gas. This is why we are also committing to investing in green hydrogen production facilities, which in turn will create more local jobs.”
When Wrightbus was taken over by Jo Bamford in October 2019, only 56 staff remained in the business. Just over two years on, and largely thanks to its new zero emission products, Wrightbus is now on track to employ more than 900 staff over the next few months once its latest recruitment drive is complete.
Since the launch of the Streetdeck Hydroliner, Wrightbus has prevented over 1,575 tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions entering the atmosphere for the journeys made compared to the diesel powered version of the bus - the equivalent of taking more than 345 cars off the roads for a whole year.
Wrightbus MD, Neil Collins said: “The CO2 savings we have been able to achieve with our vehicles demonstrate why we need to see commitment from the Northern ~Ireland and UK Governments to investment in buses, trains, trucks, ships, aircraft and the entire green hydrogen supply chain. We are grateful to Mr Lyons for coming to see our operation first hand and speak to us about our ambitions.”
Read more
NewPower secures first order from First Bus just weeks after launch
Read onWrightbus has contributed more than £1.5 billion to the UK economy
Read on100 zero emission electric buses for Translink propels green growth for Northern Ireland
Read onWrightbus unveils plan for European growth after incredible start to 2024
Read onVierter Deal in Deutschland: Cottbusverkehr ordert 46 Wasserstoffbusse von Wrightbus
Read onWrightbus helps Irish city to become one of the first to deploy fully electric bus service
Read onFirst Bus launches all-electric fleet depot after investing in Wrightbus’s ZE buses
Read onWrightbus sichert sich neuen Auftrag für 28 Wasserstoffbusse
Read onWrightbus secures new deal to deliver zero-emission buses to London
Read onShadow Northern Ireland Secretary hails green innovation at Wrightbus
Read onOxford continues charge to net zero with launch of Wrightbus’s fully electric buses
Read onWrightbus secures further orders with transport operator Abellio
Read onNorthern Ireland Minister hails green innovation at Wrightbus
Read onWrightbus’s zero-emission vehicles set to hit the streets of Norwich
Read onWrightbus lands significant order for hydrogen-powered buses from Germany
Read onPreparations gather pace for roll out of Wrightbus’s zero-emission buses in Oxford
Read onWrightbus’s first ever double-deck electric ‘low bridge’ buses launched in Leicester
Read onWrightbus secures new deal to deliver zero emission buses to London
Read onUniversity students on the fast track to success thanks to Wrightbus racing car sponsorship
Read onArriva London makes further commitment to delivering a sustainable bus network across London.
Read onFunding Award For Ballymena Hydrogen Production Facility at Wrightbus Site
Read onWrightbus 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 onRecruitment Evening Encourages More Women Into The Workplace
Read onTransport Secretary hails hydrogen bus production at Wrightbus
Read onPlans announced for state-of-the-art green hydrogen project at Wrightbus Ballymena
Read onFostering is next stop for Norman after 30 years at Wrightbus
Read onMetroline places order with Wrightbus for zero-emissions buses
Read onGLASGOW OPEN TOP BUSES WILL SOON BE ONE OF THE GREENEST TOURS IN THE WORLD
Read onTranslink signs contract with Wrightbus for 100 new Zero Emission buses
Read onWrightbus showcasing benefits of Hydrogen at Labour & Conservative Conferences
Read onWrightbus to supply hydrogen cell technology to leading Australian bus operator
Read onFirst Bus places one of UK’s largest ever EV bus orders with Wrightbus
Read onWrightbus staff form Guard of Honour in tribute to founder Sir William Wright
Read onWrightbus announced as Ballymena United sponsors for next two football seasons
Read onNew Sales Director for Parts & Services joins the Wrightbus team
Read onNTA Announces Historic Agreement for 800 Battery-Electric Double-Deck Buses
Read onWrightbus signs landmark deal with Australia’s leading bus body manufacturer Volgren
Read onWrightbus Electroliner Officially World’s Most Efficient Double Deck Battery-Electric Bus
Read onThe first Wrightbus Electroliners set to enter passenger service in Belfast
Read onRecruitment drive continues at leading bus manufacturer Wrightbus
Read onHydrogen-powered buses on the streets of the West Midlands for the first time.
Read onMallon unveils the first in Ireland Battery Electric Double Decker Bus for Public Transport
Read onFortescue Future Industries joins hand with JCB and Ryze Hydrogen
Read onWrightbus prevents one million kgs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere
Read onThe UK Hydrogen Roadshow shines spotlight on low carbon hydrogen innovation
Read onWrightbus creates hundreds of permanent jobs as bus orders flood in
Read onMinister Poots visits Wrightbus to discuss its plans for green hydrogen economy
Read on