Wrightbus secures prestigious international innovation award after record-breaking year

Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales

World-leading zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus has capped its most successful year to date with another major international accolade — this time for innovation in mobility at the ADS Federal Conference in Germany.

The Ballymena-based firm was recognised for its significant advances in hydrogen technology, including its record-breaking fleet currently operating across Germany.

The latest honour joins a growing collection of awards presented to Wrightbus this year, including Manufacturer of the Year and a trio of sustainability-focused titles acknowledging its leadership in green transport.

Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said the award reflected the relentless ambition and capability of the engineering teams driving the company’s rapid growth.

“We have 3,000 zero-emission buses operating every day in the UK and Europe but our engineering team is still pushing continually to improve our vehicles,” he said proudly.

“We are building more buses than ever, with greater efficiency, and leading the way in net zero transportation, not just here in Europe and the UK but even further afield.

“This award, and the others we’ve been grateful to receive this year, show us that the relentless efforts, the early mornings and late nights, are worth it.”

A Global Leader in Zero-Emission Mobility

Founded in 1946, Wrightbus now employs 2,300 people and supports another 7,500 jobs through its supply chain.

The company is best known for creating the world’s first hydrogen double-decker, but its expertise spans class-leading diesel models and Europe’s largest repowering facility — NewPower in Bicester — alongside a growing refurbishment division.

Mr Gales emphasised that the business now offers far more than vehicle manufacturing:

“Wrightbus has grown enormously in the last few years. We no longer just make buses – we provide the entire transport ecosystem and infrastructure for operators so they can relax knowing the whole lifecycle of the vehicle is supported from start to finish.”

Debut of the Most Efficient Electroliner Yet

The award coincides with the unveiling of Wrightbus’s most efficient battery-electric bus to date. The Generation 2 Electroliner features a bespoke battery developed through a multi-million-pound in-house programme and promises major gains in range, charging speed, battery life, HVAC performance and warranty terms.

Single-deck models are available with two high-efficiency CATL battery options — 528kWh or a 442kWh custom unit — while the double decker uses the 442kWh variant. Both configurations aim to reduce weight and maximise onboard power and efficiency.

Award Recognises Innovation with Social Responsibility

In its citation, AGS praised Wrightbus as a company that combines cutting-edge technologies with social impact, particularly at a time when Western economies face increasing skills shortages.

AGS stated:

“There is a shortage of skilled workers everywhere: this trend is becoming a serious problem for the economies and democratic societies of the West, whose backbone is often the middle class. With our award this year, we want to honor approaches that have successfully embraced this topic in addition to efficiency gains.

“With the awarding of the prize, the AGS also wants to highlight an economically dynamic, democratic and social Europe that focuses on people and their needs. The award honors the self-employed, small and medium-sized enterprises that meet these needs responsibly and in an extraordinary way.”

Erhan Ehren, Managing Director of Wrightbus Europe, said the recognition highlighted the wider societal benefits of Wrightbus’s net-zero efforts.

“It is humbling to know that our efforts to decarbonise public transport are having such an impact in society, providing skilled green jobs for the economy and cleaner air for our towns and cities.”