UK manufacturer, Wrightbus has launched its next generation of diesel buses with the latest StreetDeck Ultroliner.
This model will be powered by the Cummins B6.7 litre six-cylinder diesel engine alongside the latest Voith DIWA.8 NXT 7-speed transmission. This ensures the vehicles are ultra-low emission, despite being diesel-powered.
Alike to Wrightbus’ existing diesel Ultroliner 4-cylinder bus, the Cummins B6.7 powered Ultroliner will also be Ultra-Low Emission Bus (ULEB) accredited.
The first five of these new vehicles will be supplied to Bus Vannin on the Isle of Man.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, said:The combination of the latest generation of engines from Cummins and the latest technology from Voith, coupled with our industry-leading Micro Hybrid technology, means the StreetDeck Ultroliner offers optimal efficiency in the diesel market, and we're delighted Bus Vannin will be the first customers to experience our new offering.
We are rightly known as a predominantly zero-emission bus manufacturer, and we are very proud of being the largest provider of zero-emission buses in Europe earlier this year. However, the fact remains that not everyone has the funding to be able to make the switch to zero-emission. As a result, we believe in a blended approach of responsible technologies: battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell and the cleanest diesel technologies to ensure all our customers can continue to decarbonise as quickly as possible, whilst still maintaining financially viable operations.
With that being the case, our role here is to make sure our diesel buses are as clean and efficient as possible and to ensure we can give them a second life as a zero-emission bus in the future through our NewPower business
Like Wrightbus, Cummins is also working to develop hydrogen technologies. By adopting the new Cummins engine platform early, operators can position themselves for future upgrades, such as a mid-life conversion to zero-emission options. This includes replacing the diesel engine with a Cummins hydrogen internal combustion engine or transitioning to a battery-electric powertrain through Wrightbus’ NewPower division.
Bus Vannin Director, Ian Bates, said:The five new buses to our ‘Bus Vannin’ fleet – the first double deck vehicle order placed since the pandemic - see a progressive step forward in a known technology, the internal combustion engine, while continuing to take into account the Isle of Man Government’s Island Plan and commitments to climate change.
Technologies continue to advance at an astonishing rate, but this controlled approach allows us to see how the network will look in the future, enabling an insight into possible hydrogen options alongside electrification.
