UK zero emission bus sales soar to new highs, up 35.5% year-on-year

• The UK’s transition to zero emission buses, primarily with all-electric powertrains, along with a smaller number of hydrogen models, is well underway, according to the latest sales statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SSMT).
• Across 2024, 1,570 new zero emission buses entered service across all three bus types (minibuses, single deckers, and double deckers), solidifying the UK’s position as the largest zero emission bus market in Europe by unit volume.
• Within the single and double decker bus market in particular, zero emission buses accounted for a significant 43.9% of registrations throughout 2024.

UK remains an industry leader in the electric bus space

With the amount of electric bus stories that came out of the UK in 2024, it’s no wonder that the country has emerged as the largest buyer of such vehicles within Europe. Major cities such as Manchester, London, and Oxford have all heavily invested in a transition to electric buses – and that’s just to name a few. In regions where there has so far been little growth in electric fleets, 2024 put a change to that also – such as with bus operator, First Bus, recently committing £59 million to electrify its depots in the West of England, supporting another 98 electric buses from the operator which will enter the region. And, with the ZEBRA 2 funding ongoing, electric bus sales in the country are set to continue growing at pace.

With this achievement, the UK has solidified its position as an emobility leader within Europe. Not only is it now the largest buyer of zero emission buses, but it also recently took the crown of the largest passenger electric car market in Europe, by volume, for 2024.

- Advertisement -

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:

“Two years of growth and a 16-year high have cemented the recovery of Britain’s bus sector, with passenger numbers continuing to rise alongside increasing deliveries of new zero-emission buses. Government funding is helping deliver this standout performance and, as Europe’s largest zero emission bus market, we are well on our way to achieving our net zero goals, improving air quality and providing sustainable public transport in every region.”