Wrightbus Begins Diesel-to-Electric Bus Conversions

Bus manufacturer Wrightbus has launched a new re-powering service, replacing older diesel engines in buses with new zero-emission electric powertrains.

Wrightbus launches NewPower in Bicester - Wrightbus

NewPower, operating from a high-tech factory in Bicester, Oxfordshire, aims to speed up the decarbonisation process by converting older buses to electric at a much lower cost than buying new ones. Wrightbus is the first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to offer this service, using the skills of its 1,800-strong workforce.

This service is being hailed as an affordable way to reduce emissions, especially for bus operators with mid-life fleets who can't afford new zero-emission buses. The conversion process is quick, taking as little as three weeks, with space to work on six buses at once, allowing for up to 500 conversions a year.

Wrightbus has a history of innovation, including producing the world’s first hydrogen bus and the iconic London Routemaster. The company plans to expand further in Europe and has already hired senior staff from leading automotive companies like Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, BMW and McLaren.

Traditional buses use about 40,000 litres of diesel each year, so switching to electric significantly improves air quality. Wrightbus’s zero-emission buses have already travelled over 14 million miles, saving more than 24,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, said:

“While we are selling new hydrogen and battery-electric buses worldwide, there is a huge market for converting mid-life buses to electric, which can immediately improve air quality in towns and cities across the UK.”

The new initiative will create 22 jobs initially, with plans to increase to 65 staff by the end of the year. This launch follows a record-breaking start to 2024 for Wrightbus, which has been named the fastest-growing large manufacturer in the UK and the fastest-growing bus maker in Europe. Wrightbus has sold more buses in the UK this year than any other manufacturer.

Gales added: 

“Our business is growing rapidly, and I’m proud of our achievements over the past year. Every order supports jobs in Ballymena. We are the leading zero-emissions bus maker in the UK, with over 900 zero-emission buses on the road today, and we aim to reach 2,000 next year. No one else comes close.”