Rightech — the new electric vehicle marque from manufacturer Wrightbus — will see its first deployment in Kent, with three of the brand’s 6-metre RB6 electric buses announced for the demand-responsive public transport network serving the Ebbsfleet Garden City development. The vehicles are to be operated by Go-Coach.
The deal has been described as a “first-of-its-kind agreement” owing to the fact the new buses will have access to public EV charging bays, allowing them to operate for longer hours and reducing the need for downtime at depots.
Charging for the fleet is being provided by the Roam EV network, a fast-growing UK-based public charging infrastructure provider. The arrangement will enable the buses to top up during the day at designated points across Ebbsfleet, including near residential zones developed by land and development consultant Camland.
Financing has come through the National Highways’ designated fund and forms part of a wider strategy of sustainable growth in North Kent. The buses will form part of a zero-emission servicing supporting passengers in the Ebbsfleet, Dartford and Gravesend areas, and will complement a further 28 zero-emission buses on the Fastrack BRT network.
Austin Blackburn, founder of Go-Coach, says the backing from Wrightbus helped him commit to the RB6. “The versatility of these Rightech buses is incredible, so we can use them on demand where necessary or they can drop into a fixed line if routes get busy,” he adds. “Ideally, we want our buses running from 5am to 1am the following morning, so being able to make the most of EV public charging is an added bonus to keeping them on the road.”
Comments Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales: “Wrightbus has been flying the flag for zero-emissions long before anyone else. We are delighted for Kent, for the quickest way to decarbonise bus fleets is to electrify immediately.
“Rightech will solve these problems, backed by our portfolio of net-zero companies – supplying everything from product to infrastructure – which will provide more jobs and opportunities for our workforce in Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK and Europe.”
