Electric Bus

[John m]

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has ordered 120 double-decker electric buses, which will begin operating on Irish roads over the next two years.

The NTA singed an €80.4 million contract with Antrim frim Wrightbus. The Wrightbus factory in Ballymena will see the streetdeck electroliner BEVs manufactured.

The new buses will be the first double-decker electric buses in the Republic of Ireland.


Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: 'There's 120 [buses] on order from Wrightbus with a view of up to 800. These buses have already started in Belfast. We are hearing they are working really well, quiet, comfortable, clean, efficient and using our own power.'

'This is the future,' the Minister added.

'Electrifying everything in transport, cutting out the carbon, using our own local buses, making it a really attractive way to get around our cities, not just Dublin.'


NTA's Anne Graham announced that 100 buses would operate through Dublin Bus, and 20 would be dedicated to Bus Eireann. Pic: Twitter/ Department of Transport
Chief executive of the NTA Anne Graham said 100 buses would operate across Dublin city, and the remaining 20 in Limerick.

Eamon Ryan added that they 'expect to see [the buses] in every city' in the future' and has disclosed that the eventuality is that they will 'become the norm and the standard.'

Managing director of Wrightbus, Neil Collins revealed that the buses are the world's most efficient electric double-decker bus which he branded as 'a real badge of honour.' Mr Collins also added that the deal was 'historic.'


The first bus was tested and demonstrated for the media on Monday. Pic: Twitter/ Department of Transport
Anne Graham also added: 'We need to encourage more people to use public transport, walk and cycle and to reduce their use of the private car.' Ms Graham added that the Irish public transport fleet has a target of hitting zero emissions by 2032.

'The transition to a zero-emission bus fleet is a central component of our BusConnects project, and the procurement of these battery-electric buses represents a key milestone in that process.'

[John m]

Anne Graham also added: 'We need to encourage more people to use public transport, walk and cycle and to reduce their use of the private car.' Ms Graham added that the Irish public transport fleet has a target of hitting zero emissions by 2032.

[Shallow Hal]

Can Anne organise an EV for me?

[mercenary for hire]

You'd wonder if they're getting leased out and who pays for the new batteries when they get tired in a few years.

[Malone]

Is there many electric 6-8 available? Just wondering out of curiosity have absolutely no intention of getting one.

[mercenary for hire]

Tarmac there are waiting lists for all of them into the winter and beyond with prices that keep increasing every few months.I got annoyed by the whole thing so will wait until the very last minute then buy a diesel or whatever Prius I can afford.