The upgraded Streetdeck Hydroliner Gen 2.0 will be built in its Ballymena factory, where overall production will reach record levels this year. The new vehicle is more fuel efficient, has a greater range, costs less and can carry more passengers than its predecessor, which was the world’s first hydrogen double deck bus when it launched in 2020.
The Next Gen bus is also easier to maintain and service. Part-funded by the UK government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, the four-year project has seen engineering experts from Wrightbus completely redesign the vehicle from the ground up.
A consortium of partners including Grayson Thermal Systems, Queen’s University, Belfast, HYGEN and Translink banded together with the aim of strengthening UK based manufacturing capabilities to produce this zero-emission technology at scale.
Using the latest innovative hydrogen-powertrain innovations and technology, the new bus can be refuelled in just eight minutes and has a range of over 300 miles, a like-for-like replacement to diesel. Featuring a new fuel-cell from Ballard alongside a highly-efficient electric traction system, the Next Gen Hydroliner also has enhanced accessibility and safety features including a redesigned front end to protect vulnerable road users.
The launch comes in what promises to be a record-breaking year for Wrightbus, which is the fastest-growing bus manufacturer in Europe. Last week, the firm revealed it expects to create up to 1,000 jobs in the supply chain thanks to an increase in production at its Ballymena headquarters, as well as grow its own workforce to 2,500.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, said: “We are delighted to unveil our next-generation hydrogen bus, which really showcases the breadth of knowledge and innovation we have here in Northern Ireland at Wrightbus, and in our UK supply-chain partners.
“Our development team have ensured this flagship bus is more efficient, travels further, costs less and is easier to service and maintain, and we are grateful to the APC and the Department for Business and Trade for their assistance with funding half of this project.
“Alongside our market-leading EV bus, 95% of all buses produced by Wrightbus at our Ballymena factory are now zero emissions – a marked changed on 2019, when 95% of all orders were for diesels. “We are truly leading the charge to net zero.”
