Registrations to operate zero emission buses increase

New research from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) found that more operators are continuing the switch to zero emission buses (ZEBs), with new registrations rising by almost half to 484 units in the quarter. 

In the first nine months of the year, ZEBs accounted for a fifth (20.9%) of all new bus, coach and minibus registrations, with 1,230 of the very greenest models joining the road. 

Schemes such as Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) and Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge funding have underpinned bus decarbonisation so far but, due to onerous requirements and short-term windows for grant bidding, larger and urban operators – those with the most resources – are better placed to succeed. 

As a result, smaller and rural operators – which tend to have tighter margins, lower ridership and longer routes – risk being left behind. 

As SMMT’s latest position paper Next Stop, Net Zero: The Route To A Decarbonised UK Bus Market sets out, the sector would benefit from a long-term timetable to reach net zero – one that includes suitably ambitious, accessible support for UK operators of every size to make the switch.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "The latest zero emission bus technologies provide many benefits, from innovative safety and passenger features to better local air quality and carbon savings, so the next step is long-term support – particularly for smaller and rural operators – to deliver such benefits to communities across all parts of the country."

In addition, the number of new buses, coaches and minibuses joining UK roads grew by a third between July and September 2,367 new registrations were made during quarter three, completing six consecutive quarters of market growth.