The DfT has launched a call for evidence to gather information about the current and future supply, uptake and use of zero-emission coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) across the UK and their refuelling and recharging requirements, and will use the responses to help inform the development of a national infrastructure strategy.
The Government says that coaches face similar decarbonisation challenges to HGVs, and play an important role in supporting the UK’s tourism industry, with Confederation of Passenger Transport research finding that 23 million visits to tourist attractions and locations were made by coach in 2019, contributing £14 billion to the UK economy.
While it is recognised that for longer distance travel, coaches offer a greener alternative to private cars, there are only a handful of zero-emission coaches currently in operation in the UK and at present their capabilities may not meet all existing use-cases. However, the Government expects that over the next few years battery electric coach capability will develop to be able to suit the majority of coach applications, alongside significant advances in hydrogen fuel cell technology.
