Wrightbus Launches Two New Electric Trucks

Under the new brand “Rightech,” the company Wrightbus from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, is launching two trucks – a 7.5-tonne model with left-hand drive and one with right-hand drive – as well as a 6-meter bus and a 9-meter bus. They are set to be sold in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and mainland Europe.

(Daylesford / Ballymena) Rightech has already received orders from all the mentioned target areas. The new player offers cities and communities affordable options to reduce emissions and improve air quality.

CEO Jean-Marc Gales explained that this move gives Wrightbus an additional advantage over pure Asian imports. Until now, such imports have never been supported by dedicated OEM sales and marketing teams, a 24/7 service network, telematics software, and route optimization tools.

Service with Sapphire and four partners in Germany, France, and Benelux

Wrightbus supports all new products with a warranty, service, and maintenance package. This is backed by the largest fleet of mobile technicians in the United Kingdom. Additionally, Rightech has signed a service contract with Sapphire for the United Kingdom. This adds 14 regional workshops to the existing three Wrightbus workshops in Ballymena, Bicester, and Warwick.

In Europe, Rightech can rely on the regional service center of Wrightbus in Brühl. Furthermore, four Letters of Intent have been signed with service providers in Germany, France, and the Benelux countries.

Other zero-emission companies are part of the portfolio of Wrightbus owner Jo Bamford: Ryze Power provides top-notch charging infrastructure and expertise. W-Tech is a technology and research center of Wrightbus in cooperation with Queen’s University Belfast. It helps bus and truck operators optimize routes and operate fleets as efficiently as possible.

The Rightech launch follows a phase of record growth for Wrightbus. The company has already been named the fastest-growing bus manufacturer in Europe. Today, the manufacturer employs 2,200 people. It operates factories in Northern Ireland and Malaysia, as well as service centers in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Germany.

More than 30,000 hours invested in optimization and homologation

A strategic framework agreement with two Chinese manufacturers forms the basis for the new products. Wrightbus engineers have invested over 30,000 hours to bring the vehicles up to the Wrightbus standard – through independent testing, homologation, design, and validation.

Jo Bamford rescued Wrightbus from bankruptcy in 2019. He is convinced that Rightech will help accelerate decarbonization plans for all transport and fleet operators. “Given the strongly felt impacts of climate change on our planet, we simply cannot afford to waste time,” he emphasized.

“Each of my companies focuses on the energy transition; whether it’s vehicles or hydrogen and sustainable fuels. We are also looking at distribution, supply, and infrastructure. Fleet operators need to act now. They need affordable solutions. Rightech has the answer – it offers incredible products, supported by the best bus manufacturer in the UK.”

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, has worked across the automotive industry with trucks, cars, and buses for four decades. He said: “Wrightbus raised the flag for zero emissions long before anyone else. Our hydrogen double-decker was the world’s first. Additionally, we have 1,700 electric buses on the road. They cover millions of kilometers across the UK and Europe, achieving an operational availability of 98.6 percent.”

“43 percent of the parts of every Wrightbus come from suppliers in the United Kingdom. The company directly employs more than 2,200 people in the UK and supports another 6,600 jobs in the supply chain. This trend will continue.”

“We want to be a global mobility company. To do this, we need to expand our product portfolio. Our factory continues to increase production of single and double-decker buses. However, to meet the demand for emission-free midi buses, this strategic partnership makes sense. The fastest way to decarbonize truck and bus fleets is immediate electrification.”

“Rightech will solve these issues, supported by our portfolio of zero-emission companies. They will provide more jobs and opportunities for our workforce in Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK, and Europe.”

Electrified Transport Alternatives

A spokesperson for Sapphire said: “The goal of our partnership is to help the transport industry drive forward CO2 reduction. This is achieved by integrating electrified transport initiatives into existing innovative solutions and services. Thus, we support these fleets in the necessary transition to operation with alternative fuels.”

Photo: © Wrightbus