Wrightbus Commits £25 Million to Launch Fleet of Zero-Emission Buses

Image Credit: Wrightbus

Wrightbus, the Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer once teetering on the brink of collapse, is now charging full throttle into the future of clean transport. With a bold new expansion plan, the company is preparing to deliver up to 1,000 zero-emission buses across the UK, boost its production capacity by 40%, and create 1,000 new jobs over the next two years. But that’s just the beginning.

In a headline-grabbing move, Wrightbus has unveiled plans to invest £5 million into a pioneering project: the development of the UK’s first long-range hydrogen-powered coach, capable of an astonishing 1,000km (621 miles) on a single refuel. This is part of a wider £25 million R&D initiative aimed at pushing the boundaries of zero-emission transport technology.

If this sounds like a dramatic turnaround, that’s because it is. Just a few years ago, in 2019, Wrightbus collapsed into administration. It was a stunning fall for the company best known for reimagining London’s beloved red Routemaster bus.

Enter Jo Bamford, son of JCB chairman Lord Bamford. With a vision to resurrect the brand as a global clean transport pioneer, he stepped in—and turned things around.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Pre-pandemic, 95% of Wrightbus’s output was diesel-powered. Fast-forward to today, and 95% of what rolls off the production line is zero-emission—either battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell.

Wrightbus isn’t just thinking big; it’s building big. At a recent event at its Ballymena HQ—attended by Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology—the company laid out its vision.

Production is set to climb: from 1,000 buses built in 2023 to 1,200 in 2024 and up to 1,400 by 2026. Simultaneously, the workforce will swell from 1,500 employees to 2,500.

Much of this output stays close to home. Around 75% of production serves the UK’s expanding clean bus market, with major contracts—including from Transport for London—driving demand.

“Wrightbus is leading a revolution with a clarity of vision, investment, and total alignment with its workforce, which is rarely found,” said Kyle. “The level of innovation and quality standards here are setting the pace for the future of zero-emission transport in the UK.”

The company’s focus on British manufacturing aligns with the Labour government’s Plan for Change strategy to decarbonise the economy and boost domestic industry. Kyle added: “We’ve been quite explicit: if you can buy British, buy British.”

While acknowledging the UK cannot compete on battery production costs, Kyle said Wrightbus’s progress in hydrogen technology puts Britain in a strong position to lead globally.

“That ship has sailed when it comes to battery cost competitiveness,” Kyle said. “But with hydrogen, Britain is market-leading — and Wrightbus’s development of hydrogen coaches for airport and intercity transport is a prime example of where we can take a global leadership role.”

Jean-Marc Gales, Wrightbus CEO and former senior director at Peugeot, said the company’s growth and clean technology innovation are transforming UK transport. With strong backing from government and industry alike, Wrightbus is rapidly becoming a flagship of Britain’s clean industrial future.