The UK remains Europe’s largest market for new zero emission buses by volume with a doubling in demand for Q1 of 2025, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The news that zero emission buses are up 129.5% to 739 units comes as the overall number of buses, coaches and minibuses hitting UK roads grew by 49.8% in the first three months, with 2,532 registered.
Single and double deckers represent the vast majority of zero emission rollout. These vehicles now account for more than a quarter (29.2%) of the overall market.
The growth has been driven by manufacturer innovation, offering almost 20 different models, as well as funding from the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) grants.
The SMMT said that smaller and rural operators of buses still needed support, with additional challenges including lower ridership, tighter margins and longer routes. Targeted funding and infrastructure rollout will be needed, it said, including a national plan for depot and shared hub infrastructure.
The overall increase in buses, compared with a particularly strong Q1 in 2024, is the eighth successive quarter of growth for the sector, and represents the best start to a year since 2008. The growth reflects rising demand as increasing passenger numbers give fleet operators confidence to invest at levels not seen since before the pandemic, the SMMT said.
Demand rose across all segments in the quarter, with minibuses bringing the most substantial volume growth, up 52.6% to 1,299 units, while deliveries of new single decker buses and coaches increased by 29.6% to 691 units. The largest percentage growth was for double deckers, surging by 77.1% to 542 units.
In England, demand rose by 33.7% to 1,954 units – representing the lion’s share (77.2%) of the market – while deliveries in Scotland more than tripled, up 213.7% to 389 units. Wales and Northern Ireland, meanwhile, registered 148 and 40 units respectively – up 78.3% and 90.5% on the same period last year.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
“Eight consecutive quarters of bus rollout growth reflects recovering passenger numbers and, as a result, more operators investing in fleet renewal.
“The sector is an essential driver of growth in society and the economy and that growth is also green with zero emission rollout more than doubling to offer affordable access to sustainable mobility, cleaner air and quieter roads in more communities across the country.”
The news comes as Transport + Energy launches its inaugural Fleet Electrification Forum on 9 July at Warwick Conferences. You can find out more about the event here.
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