The ’CoacH2’ project, worth GBP1.2m and including partners such as Translink and Queen’s University Belfast, aims to produce an electric vehicle which can meet the demands of coach operation, including heavy payloads and long-distance routes.

Seeing Machines’ technology, which tracks the driver’s face and behaviour to identify and react to distraction or drowsiness, was tested and certified successfully for use in buses produced by Wrightbus.

Wrightbus has chosen the Zen Plus batteries due to their high energy density (180 Wh/kg) and long cycle life (5,000). The Zen Plus battery utilises a 77 kWh NMC lithium-ion cells.

After NewPower successfully converted two diesel buses to run on battery electric for First Bus, the operator placed an order for a further thirty buses.

Wrightbus says that, in as little as three weeks, NewPower will take a mid-life diesel bus and convert it to zero emissions (battery or fuel cell).

The operator will reportedly take an initial delivery of 11 vehicles at the end of this year for deployment in the city, while the remaining 35 will follow in 2025 for use in the local Spree-Neiße district.

The Northern Irish manufacturer claims to be the leader in electric buses in the UK and it is now aiming for leadership in the European market.

The acquisition is part of a EUR54m investment by the National Transport Authority which will fund the replacement of Limerick’s bus fleet with battery-powered vehicles.

They will join a fleet of 84 electric buses already delivered or on order from Wrightbus to Arriva London last year.

It will trial the ‘StreetDeck Electroliner’, a double decker with seating for up to 74 passengers and a range of up to 200 miles.

A pilot scheme involving four Wrightbus ‘Hydroliners’ will start early next year, transporting workers to and from the construction site near Leiston.

The bus manufacturer said it is looking to fill around 100 skilled and semi-skilled production positions at its factory in Northern Ireland, along with 50 apprenticeships.