UK's Wrightbus has unveiled a £25 million research and development investment to ramp up zero-emission public transport. The focus lies on advancing battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. A significant portion of the investment, £10 million, is dedicated to enhancing the Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliner, a battery-electric model available in various formats. Moreover, £5 million is slated for the development of a hydrogen-powered coach, set to be launched in the near future with an impressive range of 1,000km on a single refuel. This move aims to challenge diesel coaches in terms of range and efficiency while maintaining performance and convenience. Wrightbus plans to direct an additional £5 million towards product validation, advanced vehicle testing, and the creation of a real-time telematics system. The telematics system, backed by AI-based data analytics, will enable predictive maintenance, operational optimization for fleet managers, and extend vehicle service life. The Science Secretary lauded this R&D investment during a visit to Wrightbus' Ballymena headquarters. With a fleet of 1,800 zero-emission vehicles already covering over 50 million miles, Wrightbus has significantly reduced CO₂ emissions, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability. The company's future production targets aim for 1,200 buses in 2025, with a predominant focus on battery electric vehicles. Wrightbus' expansion also involves collaborations with partners in various European countries, solidifying its presence and impact in the green manufacturing landscape. CEO Jean-Marc Gales highlighted this investment as the company's largest R&D commitment to date, crucial for meeting the rising demand for zero-emission vehicles and positioning Wrightbus as a leader in clean propulsion technologies.