SMMT’s latest data for the new bus, coach and minibus market published this week shows a market returning to more normal levels after an exceptional period of growth, shaped both by wider economic pressures and the timing of public funding programmes. Overall demand eased in the first quarter but the transition to zero emission technology continued to gather pace, with more than a third of all new buses registered now zero emission – a record market share and clear evidence of the sector’s commitment to decarbonisation.
Manufacturers have invested heavily to bring electric and hydrogen buses to market, supported by targeted funding schemes that have helped drive uptake across the UK. Although zero emission bus volumes dipped compared with last year’s unusually strong performance, their continued out‑performance of the wider market shows that electrification is increasingly embedded in procurement strategies. With a substantial pipeline of zero‑emission bus orders anticipated in the years ahead, the foundations are in place for future growth provided the right conditions are maintained.
A more mixed picture is evident in the new HGV market. Registrations dipped slightly in the first quarter as fleet renewal continues to normalise following three years of pent‑up demand, but a return to sustained growth is increasingly needed to ensure more fleets are running on the latest, most efficient and lower emission technology. Growth in key segments such as tractor units, tippers and refuse vehicles demonstrates that vital freight activity remains resilient, but demand has softened elsewhere.
More concerningly, uptake of zero emission HGVs eased from last year’s record highs and continues to account for less than one per cent of the market. This is not an matter of ambition or product availability. Manufacturers are bringing zero emission trucks to market well ahead of natural demand, but high industrial energy costs mean the cost of the latest technology remains stubbornly high – making upfront purchase costs higher while, at the same time, fleet operators face additional costs and lengthy waits to install depot infrastructure, along with a lack of public infrastructure.
Lastly, see you at next week’s Commercial Vehicle and Bus and Coach Expo, both at the NEC in Birmingham from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 April. If for some reason you haven’t yet registered, for free, you can do so at www.cvshow.com and www.buscoachexpo.com. That way you too can benefit from the wide range of things on offer from vehicle displays, of course, to a busy seminar programme, ride and drive opportunities, minibus hub, AI, future fleet zone, decarbonisation hub…you get the picture, now get your ticket!
