Wrightbus launches repowering programme NewPower in former Arrival headquarter
Bus manufacturer Wrightbus has launched a new re-powering service by launching NewPower, a new entity headquartered at the former location of EV startup Arrival. The goal is that of “eradicating diesel powertrains in older fleets at a substantially lower price than a new bus”. Wrightbus claims it becomes the first OEM to offer a re-powering […]
Bus manufacturer Wrightbus has launched a new re-powering service by launching NewPower, a new entity headquartered at the former location of EV startup Arrival. The goal is that of “eradicating diesel powertrains in older fleets at a substantially lower price than a new bus”.
Wrightbus claims it becomes the first OEM to offer a re-powering service, utilising the skills of its 1,800-strong workforce.
Arrival, founded in 2015, is no longer existing. The company had prior to insolvency announced its plan to refocus its resources on the development of its US Van product, therefore putting the Arrival bus project on hold in order to cut costs. In mid-2022 they had already announced a business reorganization.
Wrightbus launches repowering business
UK trade media Bus & Coach Buyer reports that the new venture “is focused on fitting its tailored electric drivetrain into Streetdeck buses, then tailoring it for Gemini 2, then New Route Master, with plans to then engineer solutions for other common buses, at around £1m per model”. Also according to Bus & Coach Buyer, NewPower NewPower utilises the Voith Electric Drive System (VEDS) coupled with NMC battery packs and a Grayson HVAC system.
NewPower has already added to its team with senior hires from across the automotive world, including people who have worked for Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, BMW and McLaren, Wrightbus states. The new enterprise is expected to initially create 22 jobs, with 65 staff expected on site by the end of the year.
Engineers at Wrightbus say the conversion can take as little as three weeks and have space for teams to work on six buses at any one time, offering the potential to decarbonise 500 buses a year.
Jean-Marc Gales, Wrightbus CEO said: “While we are selling new hydrogen and battery-electric buses all over the world there is a huge market of mid-life buses which, once converted, can have an immediate impact on helping to improve air quality in towns and cities up and down the UK.”
