The consultation on the end date for the sale of diesel buses has concluded, and stakeholders have given the Government their message. What did they say?
The Department for Transport (DfT has published the initial outcome of its consultation into the end date for the sale of non-zero-emission buses and coaches, detailing the responses provided and the general mood of the industry.
Measures put forward in the Government’s Bus Services Bill mean that from 2030, at the earliest, the introduction of new non-zero emission buses (ZEBs) on local bus services in England will be prohibited; existing diesel vehicles will be unaffected by the change, but no more will be permitted after that date. The Government has consulted on setting an end of sale date for new non-zero-emission buses, and says it is considering mechanisms to support both the coach and minibuses sectors to decarbonise.
Buses
Following the eight-week public consultation which the DfT says represented extensive engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders, the responses have been analysed and common issues and themes identified. In total, the DfT received 45 responses; 2 from private individuals and 43 from organisations, which included bus manufacturers and operators, local authorities, trade organisations, environmental charities and other industry groups.
Addressing first the question of whether a ZEV mandate approach should be applied to buses as it has to cars and vans, the majority of responses supported a proposal to set a specific date for ending the sale of new non-ZEBs. Most bus operators and manufacturers expressed support, with some manufacturers’ responses supporting the idea in principle, whilst unanimous support for the proposals was given by the energy industry and environmental charities.
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