3 minute read - 24th February 2025
Wrightbus unveils new hydrogen double deck bus
Zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus has unveiled the latest version of its flagship hydrogen double deck bus as it continues to lead the way in zero-emission public transport.
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 launched in 2020 as the world’s first hydrogen double deck bus.
The four-year project, part-funded by the UK government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre, 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 to strengthen UK-based manufacturing capabilities and produce this zero-emission technology at scale.
The launch comes in what is expected to be a record-breaking year for Wrightbus. Last week, the firm revealed plans to create up to 1,000 jobs in the supply chain and grow its own workforce to 2,500, thanks to an increase in production at its Ballymena headquarters.
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Wrightbus has unveiled its latest hydrogen double deck bus that will be manufactured at its factory in Northern Ireland / Picture: Wrightbus
Using the latest hydrogen powertrain innovations and technology, the new bus can be refuelled in just eight minutes and has a range of over 300 miles, a similar replacement for diesel. Featuring a new fuel cell from Ballard and a highly efficient electric traction system, the second-generation Hydroliner has enhanced accessibility and safety features, including a redesigned front end to protect vulnerable road users.
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 change on 2019, when 95% of all orders were for diesels. We are truly leading the charge to net zero.”
Philippa Oldham, stakeholder engagement director at the Advanced Propulsion Centre, added: “This fuel-cell powered bus shows the opportunity to commercialise this technology. Buses are an integral part of the public transport network, with over 30,000 diesel buses operating across the UK and Ireland. Buses around the globe have to operate within a variety of constraints, whether it be related to topography or loading demands. This means that there needs to be a variety of options for this sector, and the success from this project shows that hydrogen fuel-cell technology is a great solution. We are excited to see the fruits of this investment from both industry and government.”
