Wrightbus, a UK-based manufacturer of zero-emission buses, has obtained a £150 million finance package from HSBC UK to scale up production and accelerate the rollout of its electric and hydrogen vehicle technologies globally.
The funding more than doubles the company’s current facilities and is intended to support research and development, international expansion, and the commercialisation of next-generation zero-emission solutions. With production sites in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and a growing presence in Asia-Pacific, including a manufacturing facility in Malaysia, Wrightbus is positioning itself to play a leading role in the electrification of global public transport fleets.
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“This is a pivotal moment for Wrightbus and for the decarbonisation of public transport more broadly,” said CEO Jean-Marc Gales. “The investment will not only support jobs and growth across our supply chain but will also help us meet the growing demand for clean, green transport — both in the UK and internationally.”
The finance package includes working capital support and hedging instruments tailored to the long production cycles typical in bus manufacturing. In addition to bolstering new vehicle output, the funding will support the company’s NewPower and Rightech divisions, which focus on repowering diesel buses into electric models and delivering battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) under a new brand, respectively.
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Wrightbus has undergone a significant transformation since being rescued from administration in 2019. The company now employs over 2,300 people and produces around 1,200 buses annually, 95% of which are zero-emission.
“Wrightbus is a standout UK manufacturing success story,” said Akhil Shah, Relationship Director at HSBC UK. “This finance package is a vote of confidence in their role as a critical partner in the transition to zero-emission public transport.”
See also: Wrightbus Unveils Second-Generation Hydrogen Double-Decker Bus
The company recently announced a £25 million investment into battery and fuel cell bus development, including £10 million for the StreetDeck Electroliner, which operates in London’s double-decker fleet.