Northern Ireland-based firm Wrightbus to invest £25 million for cutting-edge research to develop next-generation electric and hydrogen vehicles
Wrightbus, the UK’s fastest-growing zero-emission bus manufacturer, has secured a £25 million investment to develop the next generation of electric and hydrogen-powered buses. The announcement was welcomed by Science Secretary Peter Kyle, who visited the company’s Northern Ireland headquarters to commend its role in driving economic growth under the government’s Plan for Change.
The investment is expected to create dozens of new jobs, reduce emissions significantly, and support the government’s mission to transform Britain into a clean energy superpower. Wrightbus, a major employer in Northern Ireland and the wider UK, is already a standout example of how investing in research and development (R&D) can fuel business development, job creation, and regional economic growth.
Studies have shown that for every £1 a business invests in R&D, it can generate a return of 20% for the firm, with additional gains spilling over into the wider British economy. This underscores the importance of enterprise in driving a dynamic economy. Science Secretary Peter Kyle called on more businesses to follow Wrightbus’s example, emphasising that such investments are crucial for maintaining the UK’s competitive edge in science and technology.
Wrightbus is part of a growing network of high-tech businesses and innovators driving growth in Northern Ireland. The region boasts a thriving advanced manufacturing sector and a rapidly expanding tech scene. For instance, Belfast-based Ionic Technologies is developing new ways to recycle rare materials needed for electric vehicles and wind turbines, contributing to the sustainability of green technologies and reducing reliance on overseas supply chains.
The government’s upcoming Industrial Strategy, set to be published this summer, aims to build on success stories like Wrightbus and make Britain the best country to do business. The strategy will help more firms lead the way in future industries such as advanced manufacturing, clean transport, and clean energy.
This investment follows government action to increase demand for electric vehicles, with £2.3 billion already invested in boosting British manufacturing and improving charging infrastructure. Since July, the government has seen £34.8 billion of private investment announced into the UK’s clean energy industries. The UK was the largest electric vehicle market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world, with over 382,000 sold—an increase of a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 75,000 public charge points in the UK, with one added every 29 minutes, ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said, “Investing in innovation is central to our Plan for Change, but public investment alone is not enough to ensure British businesses remain at the cutting edge of global industries. Wrightbus is proof that businesses backing R&D deliver real-world impact—for both the company and the local region—creating new high-quality jobs, strengthening supply chains across sectors, and delivering the new industries of the future.”
Wrightbus’s investment will not only boost growth in Northern Ireland but also accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero. The £25 million investment will be used to develop groundbreaking zero-emission vehicles, support UK businesses that provide the parts and technology needed to build them, and enhance advanced testing capabilities.
Last week, Wrightbus buses passed 50 million zero-emission miles, preventing over 85,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions compared to diesel alternatives. The company’s rapid growth underscores the UK’s strength in high-tech manufacturing and the economic benefits of investing in green innovation. Wrightbus is also a potential customer of the Bradford Low Carbon Project, which received funding from the government’s flagship hydrogen programme.
The Ballymena-based company had a record-breaking year of orders in 2024 and is on track to exceed that this year, increasing production from 1,016 to 1,200 with plans to reach 1,400 by 2026. Its supply chain supports businesses in 47 counties, from suppliers of heating systems to software developers across the UK and in key European markets, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said, “It was a pleasure to showcase our R&D progress to the Secretary of State. This investment represents our largest amount ever into research and development and underlines our ambition to continue being one of the very best zero-emission manufacturers in the UK and Europe. Innovation has played a key part in the rapid growth of Wrightbus and is one of the major things that has allowed us to switch from having a 95% diesel bus output to a 95% zero-emission bus output in less than five years.”
The research projects currently funded by Wrightbus, including the development of its hydrogen coach, the further enhancement of the world-leading Electroliner bus, and its telematics system, will allow the company to continue pushing the boundaries of zero-emission transport. This represents a significant boost for manufacturing in Northern Ireland and the wider UK.
