British bus manufacturer Wrightbus recently welcomed 12 of Germany’s leading public transport operators to its newly opened Brühl service centre, in a landmark event focused on accelerating decarbonisation across European bus networks.
More than 30 delegates gathered at the AllServiceOne facility near Cologne, where Wrightbus — in partnership with HydraB Group member Ryze Power Germany — delivered an in-depth look at zero-emission fleet solutions and supporting infrastructure.
Among the operators represented were moBiel GmbH, Bogestra AG, SWB Bus und Bahn, Duisburger Verkehrsgesellschaft, Ruhrbahn, Verkehrsbetriebe Hamm, Vestische Straßenbahnen GmbH, Kölner Verkehrsbetriebe AG, Stoag Oberhausen, NEW Mönchengladbach GmbH, HEAG Mobilo AG, and Bremer Straßenbahn AG — a collective fleet of approximately 2,700 buses.
Erhan Eran, Managing Director for Wrightbus Europe, said:
“Wrightbus is at the forefront of zero-emission technology both in hydrogen and EV buses, so we were delighted to host this event in Germany.
“Public transport has a huge role to play in the journey to net zero, which is why it was so valuable to have so many operators in the room together.
“Between them, they have 2,700 buses in service across Germany, so the impact of decarbonising so many vehicles would be significant in terms of CO₂ reduction and cleaner air for towns and cities.”
The event offered participants the opportunity to examine Wrightbus’s cutting-edge vehicle range, including the Hydroliner and Electroliner, alongside Rightech’s newly launched RB6 and RB9 BEV models.
Attendees were also given insight into Wrightbus’s comprehensive end-to-end support for operators — from clean energy supply and charging infrastructure to vehicle delivery and aftersales service.
Highlighting Wrightbus’s growth across Europe, Eran added:
“It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our buses which are leading the way in zero emission transport.
Working together is the only way we can tackle climate change effectively and return clean air to our towns and cities.”
Wrightbus, Europe’s fastest-growing bus manufacturer, currently operates around 50 hydrogen-powered buses in Germany, with that figure expected to rise to 130 by the end of 2025.
The Brühl service centre, opened earlier this year, features a parts warehouse and expert servicing capability — the first phase in Wrightbus’s plan to replicate its successful UK support network across Europe.
Representatives from Ryze Power Germany, a leading zero-emission fuel provider, also attended the summit to outline their collaboration with Wrightbus. Leander Hoffmann, Ryze Power Germany Managing Director, said:
“It was invaluable to hear about the challenges operators are facing as they look to decarbonise. At Ryze, we’re already successfully providing solutions to a number of businesses in Germany.
“We’re looking forward to expanding our network across Europe as we help the public transport sector to reach net zero.”
Attendee Ralf Beuting of Vestische Straßenbahnen GmbH praised the event’s relevance and impact:
“On behalf of the association, and based on the feedback from our members, I would like to thank the team at Wrightbus.
“They provided us with a very interesting program. The topics were well aligned with the participants’ interests, and no questions were left unanswered.”
As cities across Europe ramp up efforts to decarbonise public transport, Wrightbus’s continued expansion and technological innovation are helping operators make meaningful strides towards achieving net zero.