Wrightbus zero emmisions transport plans boosted with £12m investment

​Wrightbus will take a major step forward in pioneering greener alternatives to diesel power with a £12 million investment in the latest technology announced on Tuesday.
By Mark Rainey
Published 9th May 2023, 00:01 BST
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​Backed by government and industry support, the Co Antrim firm will lead the way in the creation of zero-emmision vehicles – including a hydrogen fuel cell version of the Ford Transit van.The £12m for Wrightbus is a share of a £77m UK-wide investment in a project expected to support nearly 900 jobs over the next decade, and save more than three million tonnes of CO² from being emitted.The world-leading company will develop next-generation hydrogen fuel cell buses at its factory in Ballymena.The work builds on efforts already underway to further develop clean automotive technology (NextGenZEBs), with the company having recently announced plans for a multi-million pound green hydrogen production facility. A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said: “Zero-emission cars, vans and taxis are increasingly common, but this cutting-edge work is going to mean clean, green vehicles designed and built in the UK can increasingly take on the toughest jobs too, from life-saving emergency services, to haulage and public transport. Our automotive industry keeps setting the pace globally and seizing the potential of new technologies.

"Today’s multi-million-pound boost will help them stay ahead of international competition, while delivering on our priority to grow the economy and support high-quality jobs.”The funding has been awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) Collaborative Research and Development programme.

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Just over £38m of the overall investment comes from government, backed by a further £38.7m from the automobile industry – taking today’s total to just over £77m.

A Wrightbus Hydroliner - the world's first hydrogen-powered double deck bus - described as economical, safe, and environmentally friendly.A Wrightbus Hydroliner - the world's first hydrogen-powered double deck bus - described as economical, safe, and environmentally friendly.
A Wrightbus Hydroliner - the world's first hydrogen-powered double deck bus - described as economical, safe, and environmentally friendly.

Wrightbus executive chairman Jo Bamford said: “When I took over the company, I was clear about my ambitions for it, both in terms of contributing to the UK’s plans for net zero and in terms of supporting the British economy. “Last year was our most successful year to date, but we have always said that we will continue to drive forward with our zero-emissions vision and our ‘NextGenZEBs’ project is evidence of that.”

Related topics:CO2