The latest annual registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders tell two entirely different stories of the UK’s shift towards zero emission transport.
Overall, the bus, coach and minibus sector is in rude health, with the 8,390 new vehicles that took to the road in 2024 representing a 16 year high – and even that doesn’t tell the full story. Registrations for the sector in 2024 were up 71% on the previous year, making the it the largest bus market in Europe.
The demand for Heavy Goods Vehicles on the other hand fell for the first time in three years. Within this sector, it was the demand for the larger, articulated trucks that took the hit, with a 12.4% fall in registrations.
The difference between the two markets is really thrown into light however, when their progress towards adopting zero emission vehicles is considered.
The UK has the largest zero emission bus fleet in Europe, which grew by 35.5% last year thanks to the arrival of 1,570 new electric or hydrogen buses, coaches and minibuses. Across the continent, the next highest figure was 1,175 in Italy.
In the single and double decker bus market, 43.9% of all registrations were for zero emission vehicles.
SMMT expect this rate of decarbonisation to continue, saying: ‘Britain’s expanding bus fleet, already advanced in its transition, has been further accelerated by the rollout of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme across regions. With the second phase of funding now awarded and orders placed, additional zero emission bus deliveries are expected this year.’
Back to HGVs and it’s an entirely different story. Only 217 zero emission trucks were registered during 2024, 7.3% fewer than the previous year. What’s more, they make up just 0.5% of the market.
Since 2016, the Plug-in Truck Grant has been available to help operators bridge the price gap between the cost of zero emission and diesel trucks. This is due to end on 31st March.
SMMT are calling for an updated replacement ‘that offers genuinely compelling incentives for all new zero emission HGV models, along with support for depot upgrades.’
Clearly, the advantage that electric buses have over trucks is that they cover shorter, more circuitous routes and end the day in a depot where they can recharge overnight. In contrast there are only four HGV dedicated chargepoints in the whole of the UK.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: ‘Urgent action is needed to address stagnant zero emission uptake. Manufacturers are delivering the products – now operators must be convinced to invest. Meaningful fiscal support and infrastructure rollout is essential, therefore, so that fleet transition is a compelling commercial proposition.’
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