The RT75 has three wheelbase options – 3,365mm, 3,845mm and 4,475 mm – with prices set at £55,500, £56,000 and £57,500. However, qualifying for the plug-in grant could now slash as much as £16,000 off the purchase price.
“It’s a real game-changer in the market,” said CEO Jean-Marc Gales, who has spent four decades working across the automotive sector in trucks, cars and buses.
“We truly believe that the RT75 is the best Electric 7.5 tonne truck in the market and now our inclusion in the grant scheme by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) enables fleet operators to fully commit to the EV sector.”
The grants have been welcomed by industry leaders, with Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) saying it was helping to break down the barriers to fleet decarbonisation.
“Government has listened to industry, with measures to ensure the grant application process if less onerous and costly, making decarbonisation more accessible for more operators.
His comments were echoed by Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for Future Roads, who had pushed for the grant scheme to be extended for another 12 months. She said: “I am thrilled to confirm that truck drivers, haulage companies and businesses all over the UK will continue to benefit from our fantastic Plug-In Truck Grant for another year.
“This is brilliant news as we continue to make it cheaper, smoother and easier to make the switch to zero-emission trucks.”
Mr Gales said all Rightech sales come with a Wrightbus warranty, options to purchase All Service One service-and-maintenance packages and are additionally supported by the largest fleet of mobile technicians in the UK. Other benefits included support from dedicated OEM sales and marketing teams, telematics software and route optimisation tools.
The service agreement with Sapphire Vehicle Services for the UK, adds 19 regional workshops to the existing three operated by Wrightbus – Ballymena, Bicester and Warwick.
“We really want to enhance the customer experience,” Mr Gales continued. “This cooperation ensures peace of mind for fleet operators by offering reliable, local service from day one.
“Wrightbus has been flying the flag for zero emissions long before anyone else, so we have an incredible track record which customers can rely on. Our hydrogen double- decker was the world’s first and we have 2,000 electric buses on the road, covering millions of miles across the UK and Europe with an in-service availability of 98.6%.”