UK bus manufacturer Wrightbus has announced the company is set to produce a further 1,000 zero-emission buses this year.

The announcement came earlier this month following the bus manufacturer celebrating hitting a milestone of 50 million zero-emission miles thanks to its current 1,800 net-zero buses.   

According to Wrightbus, the company has now prevented 85,000 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

Celebrating this milestone along with Wrightbus was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood.

Simon toured the Wrightbus factory in Ballymena, Northern Ireland to see how the zero-emission buses are made.

During his visit he said: “Wrightbus reaching this phenomenal milestone shows local authorities and operators are driving down emissions and supporting new jobs.

“Cleaner, greener buses will support 2,000 jobs here in Ballymena, as we continue to drive growth in the industries of the future.”

Wrightbus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, added: “We were delighted to show Mr Lightwood around the factory and to showcase the important work we’re doing here towards the UK’s net zero targets.   

“To have reached 50 million zero-emission miles is hugely significant, not only in terms of the part we’re playing in helping to decarbonise the public transport sector, but also in terms of the fantastic growth that we’ve undergone over the last five years.

Wrightbus is also expected to be supporting over 7,500 jobs in the UK supply chain by the end of this year.