Wrightbus Unveils Latest Hydrogen Coach Demonstrator: A Step Toward Decarbonising Public Transport

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Wrightbus, a leading innovator in public transport, has taken a major leap forward in its efforts to decarbonise the industry with the unveiling of its latest hydrogen-powered coach demonstrator. The new 300kW hydrogen coach prototype was revealed at the Cenex Expo low-carbon vehicle event, marking an important milestone in the company’s mission to make public transportation more sustainable. With the support of government funding and key partnerships, this development signals Wrightbus’s continued leadership in transport innovation, particularly in the realm of zero-emission vehicles.

CEO Jean-Marc Gales highlighted the significance of the project, describing it as a “significant step forward” in the drive to reduce emissions in public transport. He expressed gratitude to the Department for Business and Trade, whose support was channelled through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), and to partners including Queen’s University Belfast and Symbio, a hydrogen mobility specialist. The collaborative effort has resulted in a groundbreaking vehicle that Gales believes will play a key role in the decarbonisation of public transport.

“For years, Wrightbus has led the way in transport innovation, producing the world’s first hydrogen-powered bus and an award-winning battery-electric version, now both sold all around the world,” said Gales. “But there is no room for standing still; innovation has been at the core of our business since we were founded in 1946, and we continue to plough enormous amounts of time, money, and effort into staying ahead of the curve.”

The hydrogen coach demonstrator, while still in development, has already shown impressive capabilities. According to Gales, the new driveline allows the vehicle to cover up to 1,000 kilometres (approximately 620 miles) on a single refuelling, making it particularly suitable for long-distance travel—a crucial requirement for coaches, which must go further and carry heavier payloads than buses. This new coach will be a pivotal addition to Wrightbus’s zero-emission fleet, offering a viable alternative for intercity travel and long-haul routes.

The hydrogen coach is part of a broader strategy by Wrightbus to address the unique challenges faced by coaches, which differ from buses in terms of operational demands. “While buses have been in the Wrightbus DNA since day one, we know that to have a real impact on public transport, we must tackle the decarbonisation of coaches,” Gales emphasised. This new coach marks a significant step in this direction, offering a practical solution for a sector that has traditionally relied heavily on diesel-powered vehicles.

Wrightbus’s journey toward decarbonisation has been both rapid and impressive, especially since the company was rescued from administration by Jo Bamford in 2019. Under Bamford’s leadership, Wrightbus has not only regained its footing but has also expanded its reach across Europe, securing landmark deals in Germany and significantly increasing its workforce to nearly 2,000 people. Additionally, the company has launched a new division, NewPower, which focuses on converting diesel buses into electric vehicles by replacing their engines with EV powertrains.

The company’s hydrogen coach development has been bolstered by funding from the APC, a government initiative that supports fast-start projects aimed at accelerating the transition to low-carbon transportation. The collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast and Symbio has been instrumental in the development of the new driveline, and the project is expected to conclude its testing phase by 2025, with the first hydrogen coaches anticipated to hit the roads in 2026.

Wrightbus has been a pioneer in hydrogen fuel cell technology, having already introduced the world’s first hydrogen-powered bus, the GB Kite Hydroliner, which has been widely praised for its performance and environmental benefits. The new hydrogen coach builds on this legacy, incorporating lessons learned from the company’s previous innovations and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in zero-emission transport.

The unveiling of the hydrogen coach demonstrator at the Cenex Expo has drawn significant attention from the public transport sector, with industry experts hailing it as a major advancement in sustainable travel. By focusing on hydrogen fuel cell technology, which produces only water vapor as a byproduct, Wrightbus is helping to reduce the carbon footprint of public transportation, an industry that remains one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

In conclusion, Wrightbus’s latest hydrogen coach demonstrator represents a crucial step in the journey toward decarbonising public transport. With its long range, high payload capacity, and zero-emission technology, the coach offers a promising solution to the environmental challenges facing the industry. As the development continues, and with full-scale production expected by 2026, Wrightbus is once again demonstrating its commitment to innovation and sustainability in the transportation sector.

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