An electric minibus launched recently by Rightech – the new electric vehicle mobility brand from Wrightbus – has been put through its paces for the first time on roads in Germany.
German operator Ruhrbahn Essen has tested the RB6 on neighbourhood routes in Werden and the surrounding area as it looks to transition to a zero-emission fleet.
The RB6 was used on neighbourhood bus lines 182/192 and 190 in Werden, Fischlaken, and Heidhausen as Ruhrbahn Essen looked to see how it performed for reliability, range, and technical requirements. For insurance reasons, no passengers were carried during the test.
The RB6 is a fully low-floor, accessible minibus, measuring 5.99 metres in length, 2.80 metres in height, and just 2.06 metres in width – making it extremely compact. It can accommodate up to 22 people, including 12 seated passengers and one wheelchair space. Both the passenger area and the driver’s cabin are air-conditioned, with temperature settings adjustable by the driver. The RB6 has a range of approximately 180 km and was charged during the trial at a fuelling station in Essen.
Rightech’s European Bus Managing Director, Erhan Eran, said: “The RB6 is designed for smaller routes such as the ones it has been tested on by Ruhrbahn Essen. It is agile, reliable, has a high battery range and above all offers a great way to help operators transition from diesel buses to a zero-emission fleet to improve air quality in towns and cities across Europe.
“Initial feedback has been largely positive, with praise for passenger comfort, seat layout, and wheelchair user space, as well as good handling even when turning. We’re looking forward to continuing our conversations with Ruhrbahn Essen as it decarbonises its fleet.”
Project manager Jörg Wentscher said: “The RB6 is now the second electric vehicle we’ve tested here in Werden and the surrounding area. The hilly terrain in this region presents significant technical challenges for these buses. Now, the RB6 must demonstrate how well its materials perform – and especially how it lives up to its stated range – in order to potentially be used in regular route service.”
Launched earlier this year, Rightech was created by leading Northern Ireland bus manufacturer Wrightbus to bring affordable electric vehicles to customers across the UK and Europe.
At the launch, Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said: “The quickest way to decarbonise truck and bus fleets is to electrify immediately. Rightech will solve these problems, backed by our portfolio of net-zero companies – supplying everything from product to infrastructure – which will provide more jobs and opportunities for our workforce in Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK and Europe.”
All Rightech products are supported by a Wrightbus warranty, service and maintenance package, comprising the largest fleet of mobile technicians in the UK. Rightech has also struck a service agreement with Sapphire for the UK, adding 14 regional workshops to the existing three operated by Wrightbus – Ballymena, Bicester and Warwick. For Europe, Rightech has signed four LOIs with service providers in Germany, France and Benelux, in addition to the Wrightbus regional service headquarters in Brühl.
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