Wrightbus is supplying thirty new Electroliner electric buses in London following a new financing deal with Rock Road Holdings.
The Electroliner is currently deemed the world’s most efficient battery electric double-deck model. Those ordered will replace old diesel buses operating in London, saving around 1,750 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
The new units will be operated by Abellio on Route 111 from its Twickenham depot.
Ben Werth, Chief Commercial Officer at Wrightbus, said:We are delighted to be providing 30 Electroliners – the world’s most efficient battery-electric double deck bus – for this important and busy London route. Our buses have a second-to-none reputation for providing passenger and driver comfort while at the same time contributing significantly to the reduction of emissions in the cities they serve. Public transport is a key component in the race to net zero and we are proud to be at the forefront of this.
The electric buses have been financed through the first non-recourse financing of zero-emission buses in the UK in a consortium led by Rock Road Holdings and the Mayoral Energy Efficiency Fund (MEEF).
Rock Road plans to use this project as a blueprint to roll out its funding solution and help accelerate the procurement of more zero-emission buses in London.
Mark Swindell, Rock Rail & Road CEO, said:Back at COP26, Rock made the decision to widen its scope into a new sector to accelerate the decarbonisation of public transport and to further support the UK to reach its Net Zero targets. We set out to provide operators with a new type of funding for zero-emission buses that reduces the impact on balance sheets, allows operators to retain full control over their fleet and absorbs two key risks, namely: residual value and battery replacement.
