Sales of zero-emission buses and coaches in Europe surged by 35% in the first half of 2024, rising from 2,088 units to 2,819 units, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
However, despite this growth, the overall market share of zero-emission buses dropped slightly, from 16% in the same period in 2023 to 15% in 2024. Leading the electric bus segment were Yutong and Daimler Buses.
The ICCT’s report on the market for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) in Europe reveals that total zero-emission HDV sales, spanning multiple segments, increased by 54% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The European e-bus market had already seen significant growth in 2023, with registrations increasing by 53% and over 42% of city buses being zero-emission.
In 2024, out of 9,976 buses sold in the first half of the year, 1,722 were zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), accounting for 17.2% of all sales across city, intercity, and coach segments. Battery electric city buses, in particular, saw a sharp rise, with 40% of city bus sales being electric in the second quarter, up from 32% in the first quarter.
The report also highlighted country-specific trends, with countries like Greece and Denmark recording over 95% of battery electric city bus sales. In contrast, some markets, like France, experienced a slight decline in electric bus registrations.
Source: ICCT