30 ‘Electroliner’ buses have been ordered by Abellio which are funded through non-recourse financing from a consortium led by Rock Road Holdings Ltd of London and the Mayor of London’s Energy Efficiency Fund.

48 single deck buses, based on Volvo's BZL Electric chassis platform, and 39 double deck buses by Wrightbus will enter service in Greater London and southern Hertfordshire next year.

The order for single- and double-deck battery-electric buses, which will enter service in the summer of 2024, is being backed by GBP88m in funding from the UK government.

The Northern Irish manufacturer has said that the government-backed credit will support its plans to grow exports to over 40% of its annual turnover.

Two Hydroliners, assembled in Australia by Volgren from powertrain and chassis parts supplied by Wrightbus, will enter service in Brisbane, Queensland under French public transport provider Transdev.

Hofmann joins the bus manufacturer from the London Electric Vehicle Company, taking over from Buta Atwal.

The Northern Irish manufacturer received an order worth GBP81m from First Bus for 193 battery-electric buses, including single- and double-deckers.

Wright, who founded the company with his father in 1946, is credited with leading the design of the first British-built electric bus in 1999 and, in 2015, the world’s first fuel-cell electric double-deck bus.

Following on the back of a series of large orders, the Northern Irish manufacturer is looking to expand its workforce to more than 900 employees by the end of this year and to grow its sales department.

Werth will take up his role as Chief Commercial Officer alongside his current position as Managing Director of Fuze Finance, an asset finance company owned by Jo Bamford, who also owns Wrightbus.

Atwal will retire at the end of the year to pursue "personal interests", to be replaced by current CEO of London Electric Vehicle Company Joerg Hofmann. 

The framework agreement with the National Transport Authority for Greater Dublin provides for a firm order of 120 Streetdeck Electroliners and a total of up to 800 battery-electric buses over the next five years.