Bus Manufacturer News & Discussion

[Mikey C]

A couple of articles about the launch of the 2nd generation Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner and StreetDeck Electroliner.

Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus has unveiled the second generation of its Electroliner platform, which includes the single-deck GB Kite Electroliner and the double-deck StreetDeck Electroliner.

The new platform was detailed earlier this year. While the exterior design of the second generation remains virtually unchanged, the range now benefits from material TCO improvements following a change in battery supplier to CATL.

Both single-deck and double-deck variants come equipped with a “bespoke” 442kWh battery from the Chinese battery manufacturer, delivering a range of 275 miles in the StreetDeck and 300 miles in the GB Kite. The latter can also be specified with a 528kWh battery for a claimed range of up to 375 miles.

Other upgrades include a 75-minute rapid charge at 380kW (an improvement over the three-hour charge time of the first generation Electroliner), a 15-year warranty on the new batteries, and a TCO reduction of 11% over the previous generation.

Next-generation Electroliner unveiled with up to 375-mile range

Wrightbus has unveiled the second generation of its Electroliner platform, which includes the GB Kite and the StreetDeck Electroliner.

www.route-one.net

Wrightbus Launches Generation 2 Electroliner Electric Bus

Wrightbus has launched the Generation 2 Electroliner, taking the title for the world's most efficient electric bus.

bus-news.com

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Still worked if your Wifi was down though - pretty foolproof. Seriously though, whilst it seems a fantastic leap forward that you can remotely diagnose any issues (or potential ones), you are still reliant on a communication system that is not without its faults. How do these systems affect the sell on value of the bus? I assume that you need some special equipment to monitor these buses. Is this equipment in one location or at every depot the buses are stationed at? If you decided to replace your fleet with another marque are you able to transfer the software etc? Is there a subscription service for access to the systems? If so any potential second hand operator would probably baulk at that. When the Borismasters came into service they were hailed as the future of public transport. Do you think that any of these will ever see service at anyone other than in London? Probably not.

Too many ifs and buts for my liking. Just my opinion but I've been in the transport industry for over 50 years and I don't think this is a step forward. Each to their own though.

They use the mobile phone network each bus is fitted multi network SIM . McGill's have several additional safety system's fitted including a driver facing camera that can detect driver fatigue , driver distraction etc.

With McGill's at least for west of Scotland there is a control with a media wall at Johnston , where they can see and monitor everything.

 

[joieman]

However, Wrightbus are building their own Tri-axle double decker for far east market, and most the Chinese manufacturers have their own now as well, not just BYD.

I believe Wright also expect to sell it in the UK.

 

[Bornin1980s]

A couple of articles about the launch of the 2nd generation Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner and StreetDeck Electroliner.

Next-generation Electroliner unveiled with up to 375-mile range

Wrightbus has unveiled the second generation of its Electroliner platform, which includes the GB Kite and the StreetDeck Electroliner.

www.route-one.net

Wrightbus Launches Generation 2 Electroliner Electric Bus

Wrightbus has launched the Generation 2 Electroliner, taking the title for the world's most efficient electric bus.

bus-news.com

Have they lowered the Kite's roof?

 

[slowroad]

A couple of articles about the launch of the 2nd generation Wrightbus GB Kite Electroliner and StreetDeck Electroliner.

Next-generation Electroliner unveiled with up to 375-mile range

Wrightbus has unveiled the second generation of its Electroliner platform, which includes the GB Kite and the StreetDeck Electroliner.

www.route-one.net

Wrightbus Launches Generation 2 Electroliner Electric Bus

Wrightbus has launched the Generation 2 Electroliner, taking the title for the world's most efficient electric bus.

bus-news.com

The level of improvement in battery performance over the last decade or so is very impressive. I wonder how much further there is to go and what the implications will be (not just for buses).

 

[MotCO]

The level of improvement in battery performance over the last decade or so is very impressive. I wonder how much further there is to go and what the implications will be (not just for buses).

It's one of the reasons I have not bought an EV - I would rather purchase settled technology, rather than be a guinea pig.

 

[scosutsut]

Have they lowered the Kite's roof?

Single Deck Electric Bus | Electric Vehicles | Wrightbus

Step into the future of urban mobility with our Single Deck Electric Bus from Wrightbus. Combining cutting-edge technology and eco-conscious design, our Electric vehicles redefine sustainable transportation.

wrightbus.com

They are not famous for keeping their website up to date, but this page refers to the new model and in the photos it appears to retain the Ant McPartlin look.

 

[TRAX]

Single Deck Electric Bus | Electric Vehicles | Wrightbus

Step into the future of urban mobility with our Single Deck Electric Bus from Wrightbus. Combining cutting-edge technology and eco-conscious design, our Electric vehicles redefine sustainable transportation.

wrightbus.com

They are not famous for keeping their website up to date, but this page refers to the new model and in the photos it appears to retain the Ant McPartlin look.

Has the design changed though ?

 

[joieman]

Has the design changed though ?

The GB Kite Electroliner was the first model to get the new TfL-compliant front end

 

[Voyager 2953]

Has the design changed though ?

They both have the updated front ends, and the newer electroliner has updated panels and a loss of that over done black trim on the rear and sides of the bus.

 

[Haru]

Came across this pic on FB of the Electroliner tri axle for HK, credit to whomever took it.

Trip has 83km on it and only has 34% battery left? Wonder how many test run it has done and what SOC it started with.

 

[mernrith]

Came across this pic on FB of the Electroliner tri axle for HK, credit to whomever took it.

Trip has 83km on it and only has 34% battery left? Wonder how many test run it has done and what SOC it started with.

It has been seen on 3 consecutive days for testing on 3 popular long-distance routes. Today's test route (118) has a mix of everything, with long slopes with 1:10 incline, highways and frequent urban stops. A good test route imo. (and a round trip of 118 is around 41km - so I guess it could have done 2 trips today?)

 

[Haru]

Thanks.

I wonder what the initial SOC was to get an idea how the range is, I was on a BYD on route 606 when I went back in the summer and used about 12% for the whole route.

 

[ChrisPJ]

Fresh fleet coming for Jersey where there are still lots of Dennis darts.

LibertyBus

#LibertyBus #GoUnlimited

www.facebook.com

 

[aswilliamsuk]

Fresh fleet coming for Jersey where there are still lots of Dennis darts.

LibertyBus

#LibertyBus #GoUnlimited

www.facebook.com

Apparently Otokar Kent (22 of them), presumably one of the only manufacturers that could supply small enough vehicles that met the spec.

 

[Mark L]

Fresh fleet coming for Jersey where there are still lots of Dennis darts.

LibertyBus

#LibertyBus #GoUnlimited

www.facebook.com

There are 22 Otokar Vectio C buses due. It’s probably something of a “distress purchase” as there are so few buses on the market that comply with the island’s restrictions on vehicle width.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

There are 22 Otokar Vectio C buses due. It’s probably something of a “distress purchase” as there are so few buses on the market that comply with the island’s restrictions on vehicle width.

Ah, got the model wrong - I'll bow to your greater knowledge!

 

[Teapot42]

There are 22 Otokar Vectio C buses due. It’s probably something of a “distress purchase” as there are so few buses on the market that comply with the island’s restrictions on vehicle width.

Presumably either the capacity or complications in electrification ruled the E100EV out?

 

[MotCO]

There are 22 Otokar Vectio C buses due. It’s probably something of a “distress purchase” as there are so few buses on the market that comply with the island’s restrictions on vehicle width.

Would these buses be suitable for the Mousehole journeys in Cornwall?

 

[Mark L]

Presumably either the capacity or complications in electrification ruled the E100EV out?

The current ten year contract, which started in April this year, refers to 22 new low emission buses (these vehicles) and refurbishment of the remainder of the fleet. It doesn’t cover introduction of ZE buses.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Dec 2025 ==

Would these buses be suitable for the Mousehole journeys in Cornwall?

Quite possibly although I suspect that Mellor Stratas are the more likely choice.

 

[MotCO]

Quite possibly although I suspect that Mellor Stratas are the more likely choice.

But the Okatar Vectio can apparently accommodate up to 78 passengers (how?), which I would expect is more than the Stratas, and I thought that the Mousehole bus was often overcrowded.

 

[Mark L]

But the Okatar Vectio can apparently accommodate up to 78 passengers (how?), which I would expect is more than the Stratas, and I thought that the Mousehole bus was often overcrowded.

Interestingly the Greek version of the Otokar website - https://www.otokar.gr/en/Astika/Vectio_C_1_26 - claims up to 59 whilst the Turkish one mentions up to 83 (presumably on the longer version). The claimed capacity will reflect the number that can be carried without exceeding its permitted axle weight - much as with Boy Scouts and minis it’s probably achievable but I wouldn’t want to be on one with 58 other passengers let alone 82. The passenger capacity of the Citaro Ks that London United uses on the 117 is about 65 but they become more than cozy once they have more than 20 standees on board. The Stratas recently delivered to Go South Coast have 28 seats. I’m not sure how many standees they can realistically accommodate.

 

[PG]

But the Okatar Vectio can apparently accommodate up to 78 passengers (how?),

Since it seems to be over 3 metres high perhaps some passengers have to stand on the shoulders of others, cheerleader style!...

 

[ChrisPJ]

Interestingly the Greek version of the Otokar website - https://www.otokar.gr/en/Astika/Vectio_C_1_26 - claims up to 59 whilst the Turkish one mentions up to 83 (presumably on the longer version). The claimed capacity will reflect the number that can be carried without exceeding its permitted axle weight - much as with Boy Scouts and minis it’s probably achievable but I wouldn’t want to be on one with 58 other passengers let alone 82. The passenger capacity of the Citaro Ks that London United uses on the 117 is about 65 but they become more than cozy once they have more than 20 standees on board. The Stratas recently delivered to Go South Coast have 28 seats. I’m not sure how many standees they can realistically accommodate.

That Greek website shows an older version with the MAN engine which is lower powered than the Cummins isb that is now standard. I agree that the total capacities are more theoretical than realistic but isn’t that the case for any European bus?

 

[Dwarfer1979]

That Greek website shows an older version with the MAN engine which is lower powered than the Cummins isb that is now standard. I agree that the total capacities are more theoretical than realistic but isn’t that the case for any European bus?

It is the case for all buses, total capacity is generally based on weight not space. We were discussing this at work yesterday around the official capacity of our 12-metre EvoRas, 98 by the way (46-seats, 52 standing), and how close to that could you actually physically hit not just comfortably but could you actually achieve it if everyone co-operated and squeezed up to the maximum. European buses tend to have higher standing allowances, and so total capacities, both due to their specification (lighter but less comfortable seats but also less of them) meaning the seated weight is lighter than an equivalent higher seated UK bus which then allows even more standees though due to having more space allocated to standees they can probably get closer in practice than some UK buses - some places also allow a higher max vehicle weight which allows even more.

 

[MotCO]

It is the case for all buses, total capacity is generally based on weight not space. We were discussing this at work yesterday around the official capacity of our 12-metre EvoRas, 98 by the way (46-seats, 52 standing), and how close to that could you actually physically hit not just comfortably but could you actually achieve it if everyone co-operated and squeezed up to the maximum. European buses tend to have higher standing allowances, and so total capacities, both due to their specification (lighter but less comfortable seats but also less of them) meaning the seated weight is lighter than an equivalent higher seated UK bus which then allows even more standees though due to having more space allocated to standees they can probably get closer in practice than some UK buses - some places also allow a higher max vehicle weight which allows even more.

I assume that Europe and the UK have the same standard weights for an adult to use in capacity calculations.

 

[Dwarfer1979]

I assume that Europe and the UK have the same standard weights for an adult to use in capacity calculations.

Not sure about what weight calculation was used, I assume we had the same when we were in the EU, but at certain times we have actually had different max vehicle weights which will affect how many can be carried and countries not in the EU (like Turkey) may have their own rules on that. I think electric buses in the UK had an extra allowance to allow 19t max weight, I think (but not certain) that some European markets allowed that weight on all vehicles - there is a standard base that is universal but there was always an allowance to allow higher domestically (similar to how double-deckers over 4m were allowed in UK generally but complicated in Europe).

 

[9143180]

Volvo/MCV have unveiled a lengthened eVoTor coach, seating 59 in a 2+2 or 72 in a 2+3. Still built on the B8R chassis with the 7.7l D8K

Volvo Bus UK Facebook.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[davido39]

We have the Vectio C in Malta. They are good solid 9 metre buses.

 

[47550]

Had a look through the new registration data for 2025 on Bus Lists On the Web (BLOTW). Single and double deck registrations (ie excluding coaches and minibuses) seem to be well up in 2025. However, a note of caution is that I imagine may of the electrics in particular may get reregistered if there entry into service is delayed. ADL and Wright are still neck and neck as the largest manufacturers but Yutong have a big increase in market share.

	2023​	2024​	2025​
ADL	521​	983​	1,011​
Wright	483​	860​	954​
Volvo	255​	391​	563​
Yutong	126​	118​	457​
BYD	444​	361​	419​
Other	81​	168​	108​
TOTAL	1,910​	2,881​	3,512​