Wrightbus Unveils Kite Hydroliner Gen 2.0 Hydrogen Bus with 900 km Range
Wrightbus launches the Kite Hydroliner Gen 2.0, a hydrogen fuel cell bus offering a 900 km range and quick refueling under 10 minutes.
- 900 km
- <10 minutes
- Up to 90 (text) / 79 (spec)
- 12 million km
What Happened
Wrightbus has introduced the Kite Hydroliner Gen 2.0, a single-deck hydrogen fuel cell bus. The zero-emission vehicle produces only water vapor and is designed for long-distance travel. According to the company, it can carry up to 90 passengers and has a range of up to 900 kilometers. The bus refuels in less than 10 minutes, maximizing fleet uptime.
900 km
Long-distance zero-emission capability
Less than 10 minutesminutes
Quick turnaround for fleet operations
- Only by-product is water
- Powered by green hydrogen from renewable energy
- Improves air quality
- Efficient refueling under 10 minutes
The Kite Hydroliner shares its drivetrain with Wrightbus's Electroliner battery-electric bus, reducing depot complexity and parts count. Wrightbus states its hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have been in service in the UK and Germany since 2020, covering over 12 million kilometers in real-world operations.
- Maximum capacity: 79 passengers
- Door options: 1 or 2 doors, wheelchair compliant
- Fuel cell: Ballard FCmove Gen 8, 70 kW
- Hydrogen storage: 40 kg at 350 bar (5-cylinder arrangement)
- Battery: 54 kWh for power management and energy recovery
Previously from Wrightbus
In June 2026, Wrightbus celebrated its 80th anniversary, highlighting its commitment to zero-emission innovation. In April 2026, the company launched the WB9 battery-electric bus, offering a 300 km range and 57 passenger capacity. The new Kite Hydroliner expands Wrightbus's zero-emission lineup with a longer-range hydrogen option.
- Wrightbus Celebrates 80 Years of British Manufacturing and Zero-Emission Innovation
- Wrightbus WB9: 9-Meter Electric Bus Promises 300 km Range, 282 kWh Battery
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Wrightbus's official releases.
Why this matters
Hydrogen fuel cell buses produce only water vapor and can refuel quickly, making them suitable for long-distance public transport. This new model helps cities reduce emissions while maintaining operational efficiency. Wrightbus has already demonstrated hydrogen bus reliability with over 12 million kilometers in service since 2020.
Terms in This Story
- fuel cell
- A device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, producing only water vapor as a byproduct.
- green hydrogen
- Hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources, making it a clean fuel.
- zero-emission vehicle
- A vehicle that emits no tailpipe pollutants, such as CO2 or nitrogen oxides.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.