Search: Wrightbus

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has signed a contract with Wrightbus to supply 193 single and double-decker electric buses for its publicly controlled Weaver Network, in a deal valued at up to £100 million. The Northern Ireland-based manufacturer will deliver vehicles featuring the latest battery technology, two wheelchair spaces per bus, and USB charging points, with deployment expected within a year. The order follows confirmation that West Yorkshire textiles firm Camira Fabrics will supply seat covers for the fleet.

Why it matters: This major fleet procurement demonstrates continued public sector investment in electric bus infrastructure and signals strong demand for UK-based manufacturers in the transition to zero-emission public transport. The scale of the order and emphasis on domestic supply chains may influence future regional transport authority procurement strategies.

New Power is converting Wrightbus double decker buses for First Bus operations in Bath, according to Bus & Coach Buyer. The work involves retrofitting existing diesel vehicles to electric or alternative powertrains, though the article excerpt does not specify the number of vehicles or contract value. The project forms part of First Bus's fleet electrification efforts in the Bath area.

Why it matters: The conversion contract signals ongoing demand for retrofit solutions as operators electrify existing fleets, creating opportunities for charging infrastructure providers to support newly converted electric buses. First Bus's Bath operations may require depot charging installations to support the converted double deckers.

Wrightbus, the County Antrim bus manufacturer, has secured a £7 million contract to supply electric buses to Hong Kong, marking what the company describes as a hugely significant order. The deal forms part of Wrightbus's strategy to expand its presence in Asian markets. The Belfast Telegraph reports the order as a major milestone for the Northern Ireland based firm.

Why it matters: The contract signals growing international demand for UK manufactured electric buses and highlights Hong Kong as an active procurement market. For CPOs and suppliers, it demonstrates the export potential of established European EV bus makers into Asia Pacific territories.

Nottingham City Transport has placed an order for six Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner battery electric double deck buses. The procurement adds to the operator's growing zero emission fleet, with the vehicles expected to enter service on city routes. The order was reported by Route One, a UK bus and coach industry publication.

Why it matters: The order signals continued municipal investment in electric double deck buses and provides a reference point for operators evaluating Wrightbus battery electric platforms. It also reflects ongoing demand for depot charging infrastructure to support expanding zero emission fleets in UK cities.

Nottingham City Transport has logged 5 million kilometres with its electric bus fleet since April 2024, completing a 62 vehicle single deck rollout in December 2025. The project drew £12.3 million from the Department for Transport's ZEBRA scheme and £17.7 million from NCT. A further 19 electric double deckers, 13 Yutong and 6 Wrightbus units, are on order with East Midlands Combined County Authority backing for late 2026 entry.

Why it matters: The milestone shows sustained operational scale for electric buses in a UK city network, with a clear pipeline of double deck procurement signalling continued fleet conversion. Operators and suppliers can benchmark the two year, 5 million kilometre performance and the phased funding model combining national ZEBRA grants with local authority capital.

Transport UK has introduced Wrightbus electric buses on London's Route 493, according to Bus News. The deployment marks a fleet expansion for the operator on the capital's network. No vehicle count or charging infrastructure details were disclosed in the report.

Why it matters: The rollout signals continued electrification of London bus routes and potential follow on orders for Wrightbus, while highlighting the need for depot charging capacity to support new electric services.

Brighton & Hove Buses has introduced 16 new StreetDeck Electroliner double-deckers built by Wrightbus in Northern Ireland, unveiled at a public event in Royal Pavilion Gardens. The vehicles will initially serve route 7, connecting education, work, healthcare and leisure sites as well as Brighton and Hove train stations. Each bus is expected to save up to 164 tonnes of CO₂ per year, equivalent to planting 7,450 trees, and features dementia-friendly seating co-designed with the Alzheimer's Society Horsham Rusty Brains Dementia Voice Group.

Why it matters: The rollout demonstrates how UK operators are deploying electric double-deckers on core urban routes and embedding accessibility co-design, setting a benchmark for inclusive fleet procurement. For charging planners, 16 buses on a single route signal concentrated depot infrastructure demand and potential lessons in operational scheduling.

The Scottish Government has allocated £45 million through the third round of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB3) to support 334 zero-emission vehicles, comprising 227 buses and 107 coaches, alongside associated charging infrastructure. Operators including Stagecoach, Lothian, First Bus, Ember and Rock Road will receive funding for vehicle procurement from suppliers such as Alexander Dennis, Wrightbus and Yutong. The programme covers both new vehicle purchases and the repowering of existing double-deck buses.

Why it matters: This £45 million public procurement creates immediate charging infrastructure opportunities across multiple Scottish bus and coach operators, with depot charging requirements for over 330 vehicles. The mix of vehicle types and operators signals diverse infrastructure specifications and potential for both depot charging installations and maintenance contracts.

D&E Coaches, a Highland Council-owned operator running more than 60 vehicles and employing around 88 staff, has introduced four new electric buses supplied by Wrightbus as part of the Scottish Government's ScotZEB programme. The Inverness-based firm, which began in 1996 with a £1000 loan and a single minibus, now operates school transport, tourism and public services across the Highlands. The investment marks the company's 30th anniversary and its next phase of service in one of the UK's most geographically demanding regions.

Why it matters: The deployment demonstrates how regional operators in remote, challenging terrain are accessing government funding to electrify fleets, offering a model for similar rural transport contracts. It also highlights Wrightbus as a supplier winning ScotZEB awards in Scotland's public and council-linked bus sector.

Pulhams, a Go-Ahead subsidiary operating in the Cotswolds, has put 15 new Wrightbus electric buses into service on public transport routes following an £8.17 million investment. The fleet comprises seven double-decker Electroliners with 442 kWh batteries and eight single-decker GB Kites (four 11.6 m models with 528 kWh batteries, four 10.2 m models with 442 kWh batteries), with £6.63 million spent on vehicles and £1.54 million on charging infrastructure. Funding came from Go-Ahead Group (£4.7 million), the Department of Transport's ZEBRA scheme (£3.21 million) and Gloucestershire County Council (£255,000).

Why it matters: The project demonstrates how combined public and private funding can unlock regional electric bus procurement, with the ZEBRA scheme covering nearly 40 per cent of total costs. The infrastructure spend of £1.54 million for 15 buses offers a benchmark for depot electrification budgets in similar rural and semi-rural operations.

Aberdeen City Council is preparing to sell its fleet of 25 hydrogen powered double decker buses, which have been parked for over a year following the collapse of a joint venture with BP. The 60 seat Wrightbus vehicles, which entered service in early 2021 as a world first hydrogen double deck fleet, have been out of service since late 2024 due to delays in repairs at hydrogen refuelling sites in Kittybrewster and Cove. The project cost approximately £8.3 million, funded by Aberdeen City Council, the Scottish Government and the European Union, with an investment of around £500,000 per vehicle within the FCH JU project.

Why it matters: The sale underscores infrastructure risk in alternative fuel procurements: even capital intensive fleets can strand if refuelling partnerships fail. Councils and operators evaluating hydrogen or other novel powertrains will weigh this £8.3 million write off against the maturity of battery electric charging networks.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has taken delivery of the first electric buses from a 100-vehicle fleet supplied by Wrightbus and Alexander Dennis Limited, set to enter service within months. The zero-emission double-deckers can run up to 275 miles on a single 90-minute charge and will operate under a new franchised network run by Stagecoach and Go-Ahead, announced in January. The rollout forms part of Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram's plan to return bus services to public control for the first time since 1986.

Why it matters: The 100-bus procurement signals substantial charging infrastructure demand across Liverpool's franchised network, with 90-minute turnaround charging likely requiring depot-based high-power installations. CPOs and charge-point suppliers should note the public-control model may centralise infrastructure tenders under the Combined Authority rather than individual operators.

Wrightbus has confirmed delivery of four 528 kWh GB Kite Electroliners and seven 442 kWh StreetDeck Electroliners to Pulhams Coaches, part of Go-Ahead-owned Oxford Bus Company. Senior management from Oxford Bus Company visited the Ballymena factory to sign off the order, which will enter service across the Pulhams network in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. The announcement was reported in Coach and Bus Week.

Why it matters: The order signals continued fleet electrification by a major UK bus operator and demonstrates Wrightbus securing repeat business from the Go-Ahead group. The dual battery capacity specifications suggest route optimisation planning, relevant for operators and charging infrastructure planners serving similar regional networks.

Go North East has launched 29 electric double decker buses manufactured by Wrightbus. The deployment expands the operator's zero emission fleet in the North East of England. Bus & Coach Buyer reported the rollout, though specific route assignments and delivery timescales were not detailed in the available excerpt.

Why it matters: The order signals continued UK bus operator investment in electric double decker platforms and confirms Wrightbus as a volume supplier in the regional procurement pipeline. Fleet operators and charging infrastructure providers can track Go North East's depot electrification requirements as the 29 vehicles enter revenue service.

Wrightbus has announced new senior sales team appointments, according to Bus-News. No specific names, roles or figures were disclosed in the available excerpt. The move signals organisational changes at the Northern Ireland based bus manufacturer, which produces electric and hydrogen buses for public transport operators.

Why it matters: Sales leadership changes at a major bus OEM can influence procurement timelines and commercial terms for fleet operators tendering zero emission vehicles. Wrightbus supplies electric double deckers to UK and international markets, so new sales contacts may affect ongoing and future charging infrastructure negotiations.