UK Government Allocates £38 Million to Strengthen Electric Bus Fleets Across England

Across England’s urban and rural arteries, a quiet revolution is charging ahead—literally. Thanks to a fresh £37.8 million injection from the UK Government, 319 brand-new zero-emission buses will soon roll onto the roads, promising cleaner air, smoother journeys, and quieter commutes for thousands.

Twelve local authorities successfully secured funding to expand their electric bus fleets, with all vehicles expected to be in operation by spring 2027. The goal? Not just transportation transformation—but a sweeping, systemic shift toward sustainable mobility.

The timing is anything but accidental. Just yesterday, the government announced enhanced flexibility to its Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate—extending hybrid sales until 2035 and adjusting mandates to accommodate the market’s evolving needs. Together, these changes are designed to nurture domestic EV manufacturing while accelerating the decarbonisation of public transport.

And the changes aren’t theoretical. Today, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood heads to Hull to see the impact up close—meeting with local stakeholders, viewing early infrastructure plans, and discussing the boost to local employment from the rollout.

Among the biggest winners of this round of funding:

• Nottinghamshire County Council receives £2.6 million for 42 electric buses;

• Hull City Council secures £3.9 million for another 42 vehicles;

• West of England Combined Authority takes the lion’s share, with nearly £20 million to deploy a fleet of 160 buses.

This investment is in tandem with the broader ZEBRA 2 (Zero Emission Bus Regional Area) programme, which has procured 995 zero-emission buses across England, radically reshaping local transit networks.

In Bristol, for instance, the new funding will electrify 22 key routes across the city, enhancing connectivity to essential destinations like universities, hospitals, and employment hubs. It’s more than public transport; it’s public service reborn.

This green transport push isn’t just suitable for riders—it’s good for workers, too. Most buses ordered through ZEBRA are sourced from UK-based manufacturers, with 60% of contracts going to domestic firms. That means more jobs in engineering, construction, and high-tech manufacturing, especially in regional hubs that stand to benefit from the emerging green economy.

The government established the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel to ensure these transitions remain rooted in local input. Civic leaders and industry heavyweights collaborate on the zero-emission roadmap in this forum. Its inaugural event, held last month in Sheffield, brought together voices from manufacturers Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus, alongside Metro Mayors Oliver Coppard (South Yorkshire) and Tracy Brabin (West Yorkshire).

The message was clear: local ambitions and national policy can—and must—move in tandem.

Looking ahead, the upcoming Bus Services Bill promises to redefine public transport in England. The legislation aims to empower local authorities to manage their own services more directly while phasing out new petrol and diesel buses.

Last week, Minister Lightwood continued the government’s engagement tour with a visit to Wrightbus in Ballymena—a moment not just for policy but for pride. The visit marked a significant milestone: 50 million green miles travelled by the Wrightbus electric fleet.