Wrightbus Opens NewPower Factory, Accelerates Green Transport & Creates Jobs
Bicester, Oxfordshire – Wrightbus, a leading force in zero-emission transport, today officially opened its state-of-the-art NewPower factory in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The grand opening was attended by Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP, marking a significant step in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
NewPower, an initiative launched by Wrightbus in 2024, specializes in taking mid-life diesel buses and transforming them into modern, zero-emission electric vehicles. This innovative “repowering” process involves replacing their traditional engines with advanced electric powertrains, offering bus operators an immediate and affordable path to sustainability.
Boosting Local Economy and Green Jobs
The NewPower factory is not just about cleaner air; it’s also a hub for job creation. Currently employing 65 people, the facility plans to add 50 more jobs as it ramps up its operations to repower 250 buses annually.
Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP, who toured the 40,000 sq ft facility, lauded the initiative: “It’s great to officially open Wrightbus’ NewPower facility today and see how they’re breathing a clean new life into old diesel buses, helping us meet our climate goals.” He also highlighted the government’s commitment to decarbonisation, with plans to end the use of new diesel/petrol buses on most English routes from 2030.
Unrivalled Expertise and Proven Impact
Wrightbus stands out as the first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to offer such a repowering service. Their success is built on the unparalleled expertise of their workforce, including master technicians who originally built these buses and possess unique skills in powertrain swaps. NewPowered buses are already operating across the UK, demonstrating their effectiveness.
The environmental benefits are immense:
- Traditional diesel buses consume approximately 40,000 litres of diesel per year.
- Zero-emission buses manufactured by Wrightbus have collectively traveled over 47 million miles, preventing more than 80,000 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
Affordable Decarbonisation and Future Plans
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus and former chief of Lotus, emphasized the economic advantages: “Repowering diesels gives them a 10-year second life and is a hugely affordable solution to operators.” He stressed the importance of ensuring that local authorities and councils have access to the full range of UK-made technologies to accelerate their decarbonisation and air quality commitments.
Since being saved from administration by green entrepreneur Jo Bamford in 2019, Wrightbus has seen a remarkable turnaround, growing its staff to 2,200 and projecting revenues of £1 billion by 2027. Beyond repowering, the company is known for pioneering the world’s first hydrogen bus and the iconic London Routemaster, with ambitious plans for further job creation and widespread European expansion. Wrightbus is now recognised as the fastest-growing bus manufacturer in Europe.
