Zero-emission buses exceed 2,500 units (+62%) as UK market posts 17-year high

Bus, coach and minibus registrations in the UK increased 10.4 percent in 2025 to 9,259 units, with zero-emission vehicles accounting for 27.3% of the total.

The UK market closed 2025 at its highest annual level since 2008, according to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). As mentioned, a total of 9,259 new buses, coaches and minibuses were registered during the year, up from 8,390 units in 2024, as reported by SMMT.

The UK remains Europe’s largest zero-emission bus market by volume.

Zero-emission vehicles reach 2,523 units in 2025

Zero-emission bus and coach registrations rose 62.2% year-on-year to 2,523 units in 2025. These vehicles represented 27.3% of all new public transport vehicles entering service over the period, confirming the sector’s position as the most rapidly decarbonising segment of UK road transport, according to SMMT.

According to ACEA, the United Kingdom registered 2,856 electrically-chargeable buses in 2025, up 56.3% year-on-year. These figures differ from SMMT’s national data, which records 2,523 zero-emission buses and a total market of 9,259 units in 2025. The discrepancy reflects differences in vehicle categorisation and statistical scope between ACEA’s European registration framework and SMMT’s UK market reporting.

Back to SMMT-sourced data on the UK market, such an increase in e-bus uptake was recorded alongside continued deployment of national and regional funding schemes, including the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme in England and the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB).

Segment breakdown: double- and single-deck volumes up sharply

Growth of the total market in 2025 was driven primarily by the double- and single-deck segments. Double-deck registrations increased 25.6% year-on-year to 2,010 units, compared with 1,601 units in 2024. Single-deck buses and coaches recorded a 24.9% annual increase to 2,465 units, up from 1,973 units in 2024.

The minibus segment, defined as vehicles up to 6 tonnes and up to 17 seats, closed the year broadly in line with 2024 levels. Registrations declined 0.66% to 4,784 units, compared with 4,816 units in 2024. In the fourth quarter, however, volumes fell 50.1% to 787 units, down from 1,576 units in Q4 2024.

“Strong growth in Britain’s bus, coach and minibus market is clear evidence of an industry committed to cleaner, reliable and accessible transportation for all. The substantial increase in the uptake of zero emission vehicles has been enabled by significant manufacturer investment and targeted government schemes, but momentum must be maintained. Upgrading bus fleets can be complex and costly – challenges that industry and government must address together so Britain can maintain its leadership in green public transport and accelerate our journey towards Net Zero”, states Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive