The Government has announced the recipients of funding to accelerate the introduction of new zero-emission buses
Passengers across England will enjoy more green buses thanks to £37.8 million of Government investment in 319 new zero-emission buses. The funding has been allocated to 12 successful local authorities across England, following bids to expand their zero-emission bus fleets, and will see the new vehicles serving passengers by spring 2027. It comes as the Government made changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, including increasing flexibility of the mandate up to 2030, and allowing hybrid vehicles to be sold until 2035, all with the aim of supporting UK EV manufacturers.
Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood visited Hull to see how the funding will bring improved journeys for passengers, and discuss how highly skilled engineering and construction jobs will be created locally as electric bus infrastructure is delivered. He said: ”I’m thrilled to announce this investment, which will deliver 319 new zero-emission buses to communities across England by 2027. This funding will not only make bus travel cleaner, greener, and more comfortable, but it will deliver on our Plan for Change; creating jobs, supporting local economies, and accelerating our journey towards a zero-emission future. By backing local councils and UK manufacturers, we are putting the power in the hands of communities, while helping to deliver on our vision of a sustainable, green transport network.”
Among the biggest winners are Nottinghamshire County Council, which will benefit from £2.6 million to launch 42 new electric buses, Hull City Council, where £3.9 million has been allocated to provide 42 vehicles, and the West of England Combined Authority, which will receive nearly £20 million for 160 buses. This funding comes on top of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area 2 (ZEBRA 2) programme which has funded a further 995 zero-emission buses.
Matt Carney, CEO of Go-Ahead Bus, which will benefit from the funding in a number of locations, said: “We’re very grateful to the Department of Transport for this continued partnership. Together we’re investing in even more zero-emission buses so that customers across the UK can access cleaner, greener public transport. This funding will support new zero-emissions buses in Hull, Salisbury, Brighton & Hove, Plymouth and Isle of Wight.”
Steven Meersman, Co-Founder at electrification specialist Zenobē, said: “The Government’s £38 million investment in green buses is a step towards improving public transport for communities across the UK. At Zenobē, we’ve raised £2.3bn in private investment to date and deployed over £600m to support UK bus operators to overcome the financial and operational barriers of electrification. We’re now supporting over 2,000 electric, heavy duty vehicles globally enabling the transition to fully electric fleets in a matter of months, not years. Businesses have a crucial role to play; complementing public funding with private capital and expertise, to mobilise further investment and enhance the UK’s crucial transport sector. These funding announcements will both boost local economies and advance the Government’s ambition to provide reliable, cleaner transport at a lower cost to passengers. We’re proud to be part of this transformation.”
