Europe’s zero-emission bus registrations approach 30% market share in H1 2026 (and grow 50%), ICCT reports

Zero-emission buses and coaches represented 28.6% of all new registrations in the European Union during the first half of 2026, with 6,425 units sold compared to 4,295 in the same period of 2025 (marking a 50% growth), according to the latest quarterly market report published by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The full year 2025 closed with +11,000 e-buses registered in the continent, also growing +50% on the previous year.

The figures are part of the ICCT’s latest European Heavy-Duty Vehicle Market Development Quarterly, covering registrations from January to June 2026. The report shows that approximately 22,600 buses and coaches were registered across the EU in the first six months of the year, with zero-emission models increasing their market share from 22.7% to 28.6% year-on-year, after reaching 24% in the first quarter, still according to ICCT reporting.

Zero-emission city buses exceed 60% market share in Q2

The strongest performance came from the city bus segment. According to the ICCT, battery-electric city buses accounted for more than 60% of new city bus registrations in the second quarter of 2026, while diesel buses fell to around 30% of the market. The report notes that this marks the highest quarterly share recorded for zero-emission city buses after four consecutive quarters of declining market penetration.

For interurban buses and coaches, diesel remained the dominant technology with an 87% market share in Q2 2026, while battery-electric models represented 5% and natural gas 8%. In the minibus segment, diesel accounted for 85% of registrations, battery-electric models reached 13%, and natural gas represented 2%.

Italy leads growth, Iveco Bus tops zero-emission rankings

Italy recorded one of the largest increases among major European markets. Zero-emission buses and coaches represented 45.4% of all registrations in the country during the first half of 2026 (ICCT considers buses and coaches above 3.5 ton of GVW, while focusing on vehicles over 8 ton the share reach 49%, as covered by our sister media and Italian trade outlet Autobusweb), compared with 16.6% in the corresponding period of 2025. The country, according to ICCT, registered 1,792 zero-emission buses and coaches in H1 2026, ahead of Romania (622), Germany (567), the Netherlands (531), Portugal (448) and France (421).

The report identifies Iveco Bus as the leading manufacturer of zero-emission buses and coaches in the first half of 2026. During the second quarter alone, the manufacturer delivered around 700 electric buses and coaches in Italy, primarily city buses.

Among other national markets, the Netherlands reached a 69.6% zero-emission share, Romania 57.1%, Portugal 55.4% and Lithuania 56.9%, while Denmark remained above 60%. Germany registered a 15.5% share and France 12.5%.

Zero-emission heavy-duty market continues to expand

Across all heavy-duty vehicle categories, approximately 14,300 zero-emission vehicles were registered in the European Union during the first half of 2026. While buses and coaches recorded the highest electrification rate at 28.6%, zero-emission medium trucks and vans reached a 21.1% market share and heavy trucks 2.3%.

In brief

• How many zero-emission buses were registered in the EU in H1 2026? 6,425 buses and coaches, representing a 28.6% market share.
• What was the market share of electric city buses in Q2 2026? Battery-electric city buses exceeded 60% of new registrations during the quarter.
• Which country registered the most zero-emission buses? Italy, with 1,792 registrations in the first half of 2026.
• Which manufacturer led the zero-emission bus market? According to the ICCT report, Iveco Bus was the leading manufacturer in H1 2026.