Collaborative R&D Competitions
Wrightbus – Next-Generation Common-Platform Fuel-Cell and Battery-Electric Multi-Axle Buses (NextGenZEBS)
Developing new world-leading battery and hydrogen fuel cell electric multi-axle vehicles
The project aims to develop a new world–leading, commercially competitive solution for zero-emission battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric, multi-axle (tri-axle and articulated bus) vehicle configurations. The consortium will leverage emerging technologies in support of global supply chain risk management and use multiscale modelling and digital twinning to produce ‘best–in–class’ lightweight, modular and efficient solutions suitable for both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell configurations.
Reducing the environmental impact of public transport
Project highlights
- Reduction of vehicle development timelines through the adoption of a common platform approach, lowering the total cost of ownership and securing UK market leadership in the sector
- The investigation of the impact of external factors on the UK bus industry and the development of new methods for quantifying global supply chain risks
- The creation of a novel ‘digital twin’ capability to enhance development and in-service vehicle performance optimisation
- Total project value £12.7 million, with £6.3 million funded through the APC.
Project consortium
- Wrightbus, County Antrim
- S.J.C. Hutchinson (Engineering) Limited, Coleraine
- Grayson Automotive Services Limited, Birmingham
- Queen’s University Belfast
- Translink (NI), Belfast