Transport operator appetite for zero-emission buses in the UK is growing, with the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showing that 37.3% of new buses registered were zero-emission buses. This is the highest market share ever recorded for zero-emission buses.
Of those 588 zero-emission buses registered in the quarter, SMMT hasn’t provided a specific breakdown on which of those are either battery-electric or hydrogen. However, hydrogen buses have failed to take off in the UK, most recently evidenced when Aberdeen scrapped its fleet of hydrogen buses. With such a small number of hydrogen-powered buses operating on UK roads, it’s safe to assume that the vast majority of those 588 buses will be battery-electric models.
The data shows an increasingly clear sign that bus operators in the UK are making a widespread switch to electric models. Several transport operators have made commitments to go fully zero emission in the near future, such as First Bus, who are committing to a 100% zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. Transport for London, meanwhile, are aiming to make all of its bus fleet zero-emission by an even closer 2030.
These impressive figures have previously positioned the UK as Europe’s largest zero-emission bus market by volume, with growth backed up by strong funding schemes such as the ZEBRA and ZEBRA 2 schemes. Electric bus uptake among operators will continue to rise, particularly with the Scottish Government recently announcing a new £45 million investment to bring another 334 ‘zero-emission’ buses to the Scottish network.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, commented:
“After the bus market’s boost over the past two years, a decline was always inevitable as the market stabilises. With zero emission buses taking such a high market share, however, all signs point to a market that is eagerly transitioning. Manufacturers have made massive investments in zero-emission buses and public funding schemes have helped drive adoption. With more local commitments to ZEV bus procurement, the market can grow, and the UK can get ever closer to a nationwide zero emission bus network.”
