Wrightbus launches Rightech electric truck and bus brand

Ballymena-based Wrightbus has revealed four new electric commercial vehicles as part of its plans to become “a global transport leader, providing affordable options for operators to instantly decarbonise their fleets”.

Two trucks – a 7.5-tonne in left-hand and right-hand drive – and two buses – a 6m and a 9m – will be launched under the company’s new Rightech brand, with the aim of selling across Ireland, the UK, and Europe.

Rightech has already secured orders for the electric trucks and buses, all backed by a Wrightbus warranty, service and maintenance package.

The new enterprise has also struck a service agreement with Sapphire for the UK, adding 14 regional workshops to the existing three operated by Wrightbus – Ballymena, Bicester and Warwick.

For Europe, Rightech has signed four letters of intent with service providers in Germany, France and Benelux, in addition to the Wrightbus regional service headquarters in Brühl.

Ryze Power, part of a portfolio of net zero companies run by Wrightbus owner Jo Bamford, will provide charging infrastructure, while W-Tech, the technology and research centre set up by Wrightbus in conjunction with Queen’s University Belfast, will help bus and truck operators optimise routes.

The launch follows a period of record growth for Wrightbus, which was named the fastest-growing bus manufacturer in Europe and now boasts 2,200 employees, with factories in Northern Ireland and Malaysia and service centres in Britain, Northern Ireland and Germany.

Wrightbus said a strategic framework agreement with two Chinese manufacturers provides the basis for the new EVs, though its engineers have spent more than 30,000 hours bringing the fleet up to the firm’s standard – independently testing, homologating, designing and validating every element.

Bamford, who bought Wrightbus out of administration in 2019, said Rightech would help accelerate the decarbonisation plans for all transport and fleet operators.

“Given the very tangible effects of climate change on our planet there’s simply no time to waste,” he said. “Each one of my businesses is focused on energy transition, from vehicles, hydrogen and sustainable fuels through to supply, distribution and infrastructure. But operators need to act now with affordable solutions in front of them.”