Last week I visited Eurobus in Birmingham, the UK’s largest bus trade show, providing a showcase for the very latest technology being made here and globally – from minibuses, coaches and buses to the wider supply chain of equipment, components and services. It comes as Britain’s bus sector is getting a much-needed boost, with SMMT’s latest market data showing overall and zero emission demand is up significantly.
It’s good news for communities that depend on these vehicles, and also the economy, with three large bus manufacturers in the UK across three of our nations supporting many jobs and the wider supply chain.
Government support, such as the Bus Fare Cap Grant and zero emission grant schemes, have been so important for getting more passengers on buses after the pandemic. The sector’s recovery can now go even further in the coming years with the announcement of £955 million for bus services up and down the country, including £670 million for local transport authorities to deliver bus service improvement plans (BSIPs) with historically under-served areas getting greater priority than has previously been the case.
It is hoped the funding will also help smaller and rural operators to decarbonise as they need support to make the switch, due to having fewer resources to find an upfront investment in new zero emission vehicles and depot infrastructure – a challenge set out in SMMT’s latest bus decarbonisation paper earlier this year.
However, all fleet operators – bus, truck, van or else – also need practical information and advice on how to make decarbonisation a reality and a success for their business.
For the light and heavy commercial vehicle sectors, the Commercial Vehicle Show is crucial for showcasing the new zero emission technology and providing critical information to fleet operators on how they can switch. As part of that, the Show has announced that the 2025 edition, running 29 April-1 May, will see the return of The EV Café Village for 2025 with more exhibitors, expanded content and a larger area dedicated to hands-on demonstrations, interactive exhibits and access to industry experts in the electric vehicle sector.
As ever, the show is an unmissable opportunity, attracting a high-level, decision-making audience keen to learn how to boost their business. Those interested in showing them how should visit www.cvshow.com to find out more about how to book a stand.
