Demand for new buses, coaches and minibuses reaches highest level since the pandemic with 4,932 new units entering service in 2023.Sector leads UK’s Net Zero journey as Europe’s biggest zero emission bus market, with 45.1% of new single and double deckers electric or hydrogen, but licensing issues hold back minibus transition.
Buses are also at the vanguard of Britain’s net zero journey, with electric or hydrogen vehicles accounting for a phenomenal 45.1% of new single and double decker bus registrations — almost treble the new car market share.With 1,159 ZEV buses of all types entering service last year, the UK is Europe’s biggest ZEV bus market by volume.Uptake has been supported by Zero Emission Bus Regional Area funding, originally awarded in 2022, with finance eventually trickling through during last year.
Most minibuses are based on heavy vans, but while van drivers have a licence derogation allowing them to drive zero emission vehicles weighing up to 4.25 tonnes, minibus drivers will not be able to do so until 2025. Bringing this date forward would unleash demand, with many minibus fleets presently delaying their zero emission vehicle investment until their existing drivers are permitted to drive them.