Wrightbus has secured an order for 46 of its hydrogen-powered buses from German operator Cottbusverkehr GmbH.
The Kite Hydroliner buses are expected to serve the city of Cottbus, Brandenburg’s second-largest city, signifying the fleet operators’ first venture into using hydrogen-powered buses.
Following testing in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the vehicles are compliant with the VDV (Association of German Transport Companies) regulations and meet the requirements of the European General Safety Regulation (GSR2).
According to Ralf Thalmann, CEO of Cottbusverkehr, 11 of the buses will be used for traffic in and around the city, with the other 35 for local transport in the Spree-Neisse region in 2025. The buses are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2024.
Wrightbus has previously secured contracts in Germany with West Verkehr, Regionalverkehr Köln (RVK) and Saarbahn GmbH. Up to 60 buses will be delivered to Cologne’s RVK and 28 for Saarbahn with the first five also scheduled for this year (2024). H2 View understands more European orders are in the pipeline.
Read more:Wrightbus expands foreign reach with German deal for 60 hydrogen buses
Read more: 28 hydrogen-powered buses set for deployment in Saarbrücken
Wrightbus Chief Executive, Jean-Marc Gales claimed the deal with Cottbusverkehr is “a vital step in helping Germany decarbonise its public transport network.”
Cottbus Mayor, Marietta Tzchoppe added, “We are taking a first, important step towards the future of mobility. This is where the energy transition becomes concrete and it creates a positive impact for our passengers.”
Thalmann, continued, “This is a big step in Lusatia towards climate-neutral local public transport. With its offer, the company has shown its commitment and willingness to offer suitable solutions.”
Earlier this month (April), Ballard Power Systems agreed to deliver 70 FCmove® hydrogen fuel cell engines for buses set to enter into services in 2025.
Read more:Wrightbus to utilise Ballard hydrogen fuel cell engines in UK and Germany
Wrightbus: on the road to success
Robert Best has had a challenging day in the air, enduring cancellations and delays from Heathrow to Belfast. But Wrightbus’ Director of Engineering looks a lot happier back on terra firma, happy talking through all aspects of its growing hydrogen bus manufacturing business domestically and internationally.
It’s been quite a ride. From the inception of its first fuel cell project in 2005, the UK hydrogen and electric bus manufacturer has expanded rapidly, and next year is targeting 1,200 buses from its Ballymena plant. It also operates a Malaysia plant, serving the Hong Kong and Singapore markets. It took on its 1,000th member of staff last year – three years after being bought out of administration by green pioneer Jo Bamford with just 56 people on the books.
Its portfolio comprises four primary models, under the StreetDeck, StreetLite, GB Hawk (single deck) and GB Lite brands, and most prominent are the Hydroliners and Electroliners (both available in BEVs and FCEVs). The most recent addition to the range is the single-deck hydrogen model, the Hawk Hydroliner.
