Zero Emission Bus Conference 2025: a 3-day forum on Europe’s clean bus strategy

The 6th edition of the Zero Emission Bus Conference (ZEB 2025) will take place in October at Busworld Europe, from 7th to 9th. Organised by ERM in partnership with the Busworld Foundation, the event will bring together transport operators, policymakers, manufacturers, and industry experts to tackle the practical and technical challenges of deploying zero emission buses (ZEBs) at scale.

Building on the success of ZEB 2023, which gathered over 400 participants, 70+ speakers, and more than 50 public transport operators and authorities, ZEB 2025 promises a deeper dive into technical content, policy frameworks, and operational insights, making it a key forum for anyone involved in the bus and coach sector’s green transition.

Sustainable Bus is pleased to have contributed to the development of the conference agenda as a member of the ZEB 2025 Advisory Committee. What follows is a non exhaustive overview of selected sessions that capture the core discussions shaping Europe’s transition to zero-emission buses. For the full agenda see HERE.

Safety challenges in electric bus charging

The conference opens on day one, October 7th, at 11:30 with the “ZEB x Safety” session, addressing safety and insurance risks linked to electric bus charging infrastructure. Sanne van Breukelen from Cenex Nederland will moderate a panel featuring DAFO Vehicle, which will explain how lithium-ion batteries in electric buses pose unique risks—different but not necessarily greater than traditional vehicles—and Transport for London, one of the world’s largest electric bus fleet operators, sharing how they manage charging risks and insurance complexities.

Decarbonizing long-haul and interurban coach routes

Later that afternoon (16:30), the “ZEB x Future of Coach” session will focus on the challenges of decarbonizing longer routes over 300 km. This includes presentations by VIVES University and IRU on lifecycle analysis of future fuels for touring coaches and the readiness of alternative fuel infrastructure. CharIN will present the EU-funded Megawatt Charging System (MCS) project, aiming to advance high-capacity charging solutions for heavy-duty vehicles. The session will be moderated by Max Mollière from Transport & Environment.

Market trends, policy support, and fleet transition strategies

Day two, October 8th, begins at 9:00 with “Shaping the Future: Zero Emission Bus Market Trends and Policy Support.” This session highlights the current state of ZEB deployment in relation to EU and national decarbonization targets. The Busworld Foundation will officially open the conference, followed by key policy insights from Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission. Timothy Evison from SympH2ony will present their integrated hydrogen fleet transition services, while Eamonn Mulholland of the ICCT will analyze the rapid growth of ZEBs in Europe and upcoming challenges as stricter CO2 standards take effect in 2025. ERM will contribute a case study examining which local bus routes pose the greatest challenges for battery electric buses and when green hydrogen may become competitive.

Data and AI for operational optimization

From 11:00 on day two, a session on “Optimising Zero Emission Bus Operations: Leveraging Data and AI” will showcase innovations in managing large electric bus fleets. QBuzz will share its experience with real-time operational management and incident prevention. Presentations from WideSense and Volytica Diagnostics will highlight advancements in fuel cell performance and continuous battery monitoring. The discussion will be led by Sanne van Breukelen.

Total Cost of Ownership: Evolving economics of ZEBs

Simultaneously, the “Evolution of CAPEX and OPEX for Zero Emission Buses” session will analyze the latest data on the total cost of ownership (TCO) for battery electric and fuel cell buses. Mona Babauta, CEO at North American SunLine Transit agency, will offer an international perspective from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Insights from Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona and Arriva will provide real-world examples of how TCO evolves in different operational contexts.

Organizational change and real-world fleet performance

The afternoon session from 13:30 will explore practical experiences with BEB and FCB operations. Case studies from Ruter and Unibuss will detail Oslo’s transition to zero emission buses, including performance under extreme winter conditions. ERM will present lessons from the JIVE and JIVE 2 projects, supporting 290 fuel cell buses across six countries. Ballard and Wuppertaler Stadtwerke (WSW) will discuss implementation and operations from both manufacturer and operator viewpoints, while UNVI will introduce European-made electric double-decker sightseeing buses.

A concluding panel, moderated by David Barnett from Translink, will bring together operators from EMT Madrid and the Go-Ahead Group to share insights on organizational adaptation, staff training, depot upgrades, and operational performance monitoring as part of their ZEB transitions.

Looking at batteries in their lifecycle

What about day three of the conference? A few highlights: at 11:00 the session “Navigating Battery Degradation, Safety, and End-of-Life Management,” will be dedicated to the complete lifecycle of batteries used in zero-emission buses. Topics will range from in-service performance and degradation to repurposing and disposal strategies. Microvast will illustrate how improvements in battery efficiency can lower ownership costs and support the broader adoption of clean transport. Connected Energy will focus on second-life applications, emphasizing how repurposing batteries for energy storage can enhance TCO and unlock new revenue streams.

A panel discussion will include contributions from Keolis—highlighting the role of battery specs in PTA/PTO procurement—and Transport for London, sharing operational insights from managing one of the world’s largest electric fleets.

Financing zero emission buses

At 12:30, the spotlight shifts to “Financing the Transition to Zero Emission Buses,” where strategies for building a sound financial case for ZEB fleet deployment will be examined. EMT Madrid will present its experience in aligning investment with service innovation and sustainability goals. A panel moderated by Luca Poggi (Transport & Environment) will include representatives from CINEA, the European Investment Bank, Transdev Group, and the European Commission. Speakers will share funding mechanisms, public-private financing approaches, and EU-level instruments that can support cities and operators in making the transition to zero-emission buses economically viable and resilient over the long term.

What about the future of bus manufacturing in Europe?

The final session of ZEB 2025, “The Future of Manufacturing Zero Emission Buses in Europe,” will take place at 15:00 and serves as a forward-looking conclusion to the three-day conference. With Europe striving to secure strategic autonomy in the transport sector, this session will address how to reinforce the continent’s manufacturing base for zero-emission buses and batteries. The conversation will center on supply chain resilience, industrial competitiveness, and aligning bus production with Europe’s broader climate and energy goals.

ACEA’s Chief Commercial Vehicles Officer, Thomas Fabian, will open with a perspective on the challenges and potential of producing zero-emission buses “Made in Europe,” highlighting the need for coordinated industrial policy and market incentives. Valérie Bouillon-Delporte, Executive Director of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, will bring a hydrogen technology lens, showcasing how scaling up domestic production can support both energy transition and industrial resilience.

The European Commission’s Beatriz Yordi, Director at DG CLIMA, will deliver the ZEB Conference closing keynote, reflecting on the role of transport decarbonisation in delivering the Green Deal. Finally, ERM Partner Alex Stewart will close the event with key takeaways and conclusions, bringing together the insights from three days of intense debate and knowledge-sharing at the heart of Busworld Europe.