German operator Ruhrbahn Essen has begun testing the RB6 – a new electric vehicle from Wrightbus’ Rightech brand – on neighbourhood bus lines in Werden, Fisdchlaken and Heidhausen.
The vehicle has been tested for reliability, range and technical requirements on the 182/192 and 190 lines, with each test being carried out without onboard passengers due to insurance reasons.
The RB6 measures in at just under 6 metres in length, 2.80 metres in height and 2.06 metres in width and features a fully low floor configuration. The vehicle can accommodate up to 22 people, including 12 seated passengers and one wheelchair user and has a range of roughly 180 km.
Rightech’s European Bus Managing Director, Erhan Eran, said:The RB6 is designed for smaller routes such as the ones it has been tested on by Ruhrbahn Essen. It is agile, reliable, has a high battery range and above all offers a great way to help operators transition from diesel buses to a zero-emission fleet to improve air quality in towns and cities across Europe.
Initial feedback has been largely positive, with praise for passenger comfort, seat layout, and wheelchair user space, as well as good handling even when turning. We’re looking forward to continuing our conversations with Ruhrbahn Essen as it decarbonises its fleet.
Rightech, which was launched by Wrightbus earlier this year, recently signed a service agreement with Sapphire for the UK, adding 14 workshops to Wrightbus’ existing three in Ballymena, Bicester and Warwick.
At the launch, Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said:The quickest way to decarbonise truck and 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.
