Nearly £38m to roll out zero-emission buses and create jobs across the UK
The government has announced £37.8m in funding to support the rollout of 319 zero-emission buses across England by spring 2027.
The investment is part of efforts to modernise public transport, reduce emissions, and create jobs in engineering, construction, and green manufacturing.
Twelve local authorities are set to receive funding, with Hull City Council awarded £3.9m for 42 buses, Nottinghamshire County Council receiving £2.6m for another 42, and the West of England Combined Authority granted nearly £20m to deliver 160 new vehicles.
Each pound of public money is expected to attract at least £3 of private sector investment.
In Bristol, the funding will support 22 routes, helping connect communities with hospitals, universities and other services.
Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: “I’m thrilled to announce this £38 million 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. From Hull to Hove, there’s an electrifying future on the way for our buses.”
The initiative builds on the ZEBRA 2 (Zero Emission Bus Regional Area) programme, which has already supported the rollout of 995 electric buses.
The government hopes more orders will go to UK-based manufacturers, with 60% of ZEBRA-funded buses so far coming from domestic firms.
A new expert panel is also bringing together manufacturers and regional leaders to help shape the UK’s zero-emission transport plans.
At a recent event in Sheffield, Metro Mayors Oliver Coppard and Tracey Brabin met with representatives from Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus to discuss how green transport can support local jobs and economies.
Matt Cranwell, Managing Director at Stagecoach East Midlands said: “Stagecoach prides itself on the importance of putting sustainability at the core of our business strategy. We’re delighted to be working with local authorities and the Government to invest in a further 78 new electric buses to play our part in improving air quality in those regions where we operate.
“This new government funding, supported by significant investment by bus operators, will play a key role in Stagecoach’s transition to green bus fleets, helping us to meet our goal of having a zero-emission UK bus fleet nationally, by 2035.”
Matt Carney, CEO of Go-Ahead Bus, added: “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.”
The Bus Services Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament, is expected to give local authorities more control over their networks and support a phase-out of new diesel and petrol buses in the coming years.
