The UK becomes Europe’s biggest ZEV market

Electric vehicles are gradually becoming the dominating transportation vehicle within the bus market. Helping to support the decarbonisation of HGV vehicles, improving the air quality on our streets, and dismantling the demand for fossil fuelled vehicles on our roads.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), following three onerous years, the UK’s bus, coach, and minibus market is growing back as 4,932 new units were registered in 2023. The UK’s net zero emission journey has been pioneered by both electric and hydrogen vehicles, which account for 45.1% of new single and double decker bus registrations.

The growth has been heavily backed by strong investment in single and double decker busses, which account for registrations being up by 52.5% and 173.6% respectively (SMMT, 2024). Furthermore, uptake has been supported by the UK Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funding, originally awarded in 2022, and finance being provided throughout 2023.

Engineering Analyst, Andy Harris at Wrightbus describes the shift from diesel Euro 6 to zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell as the biggest shift in the industry since we moved from the horse and cart to a bus.

Greater demand for ZEV will continue to drive forward the procurement of ZEV vehicle types and help pave the way to improve the adverse effects on the environment, helping to address poor air quality, reduce carbon emissions as well as providing wider economic benefits associated with transitioning.