Ballymena manufacturer Wrightbus has been awarded over half a million pounds in 海角视频 government funding to develop its hydrogen technology.
The company said the funding, which amounts to £534,000, will be used to roll out is hydrogen fuel-cell electric coaches, having already developed the world’s first double decker hydrogen bus.
In total, over £50 million of government funding has been awarded to 30 manufacturing projects including rapid-charging motorcycles and self-driving cars, cementing the 海角视频 as the best location in the world to manufacture.
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The funding will boost the 海角视频’s innovation of clean, green technologies, helping to create jobs and grow the economy.
As part of this, £11 million of government grant funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) is being awarded to 12 fast-start projects put forward by businesses, including Wrightbus. With industry match-funding, projects will receive a total of £22.7 million to develop innovative automotive products within 12 months.
“We are at the forefront of zero-emission technology and have a tremendous reputation for our fleet, both battery electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses,” Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus, said. “On the back of developing the world’s first double deck hydrogen bus, we are keen to develop a hydrogen electric power train demonstrator for the coach sector to further decarbonise another part of the transport industry.
“Decarbonisation options for the coach sector are extremely limited, with hydrogen fuel-cell technology considered to be the most viable choice.”
The funding has been backed by Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt.
“From farm tractors fuelled by hydrogen to rapid-charge first responder motorcycles, these projects receiving funding today show we are not short of innovators in this country,” he said. “By supporting growth in the industries of the future, including through better regulation, we are delivering on our plan to get the economy growing and make the 海角视频 the best place in the world to start and grow a business.”