Wrightbus has announced it will create 50 additional jobs at its NewPower factory in Oxfordshire as it ramps up the transformation of diesel buses to electric.
Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood visited NewPower facility in Bicester to see the repowering process first-hand and officially open the 40,000sq ft facility.
There are already 65 people working at the plant, with plans for a further 50 once they hit their target of repowering 250 buses a year.
NewPower, launched by Wrightbus in 2024, takes mid-life diesel buses and replaces their engines with zero-emission electric powertrains, giving operators an instant sustainability switch.
Wrightbus is the first OEM to offer a repowering service.
Jean-Marc Gales, Wrightbus CEO said: “Repowering diesels gives them a 10-year second life and is a hugely affordable solution to operators.
“We believe the Department for Transport should ensure Mayors and councils have the full range of UK-made technologies available to speed up their delivery of decarbonisation and improved air quality commitments.”
Wrightbus has also unveiled the latest version of its hydrogen double-decker – the Streetdeck Hydroliner Gen 2.0 – which will be built in its Ballymena factory.
The new vehicle is designed to be more fuel efficient, have a greater range, cost less and carry more passengers than its predecessor.
It can be refuelled in eight minutes and has a range of more than 300 miles.
Gales added: “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.”
