Wrightbus to supply 31 battery-electric double-decker buses to the Isle of Wight

Southern Vectis, the Isle of Wight bus operator owned by the Go-Ahead Group, has introduced 31 battery-electric double-decker buses into service. The vehicles were built by Northern Ireland-based manufacturer Wrightbus and were funded in part through the UK Department for Transport’s ZEBRA-2 (Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas) scheme.

Wrightbus streedeck electroliner ueberfuehrung — Image: Wrightbus

Southern Vectis has invested £10.7 million in 31 new battery-electric buses. The Isle of Wight Council contributed £733,000 to the project, with additional funding provided through the UK Department for Transport’s ZEBRA 2 (Zero Emission Bus Regional Area) scheme.

“I am delighted that Southern Vectis is now at the forefront of the nation’s sustainable transport. Buses are the perfect solution to improving air quality, and I’d urge people living here and visiting to use these new vehicles,” said Ed Wills, Managing Director of Southern Vectis. “This joint investment between DfT, Southern Vectis and Isle of Wight Council will ensure greener, better, journeys for our customers – and have a significant impact the Isle of Wight’s overall carbon emissions.”

The new vehicles are Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner BEVs from the Gen 2.0 range. Each double-decker features an LFP battery system using CATL cells with a capacity of 442 kWh, enabling a range of up to 275 miles (442 kilometres). The buses are equipped with electric drive axles supplied by German manufacturer ZF.

“It’s been a pleasure for Wrightbus to support Southern Vectis as introduces zero-emission electric buses onto the Isle of Wight,” said John McLeister, Sales Director at Wrightbus. “These Gen 2 Electroliners are the most efficient battery electric buses we have ever produced, with class-leading range, charging speed and battery life.”

Wrightbus stated that it developed and manufactured the vehicles at its Ballymena facility in Northern Ireland. McLeister added that the contract has supported green jobs within the UK manufacturing sector.

Southern Vectis will charge the battery-electric double-deckers exclusively overnight at its depot. To support the new fleet, the company has upgraded and modernised its Newport depot, installing dedicated charging infrastructure. A full recharge of a double-decker bus is expected to take between three and a half and four hours. Further technical details of the charging set-up have not yet been disclosed.

islandbuses.info, islandecho.co.uk