EU projects 108,000 zero-emission buses and coaches by 2030

By 2030, Europe’s roads could host as many as 108,000 zero-emission buses and coaches, according to a new Market Readiness Analysis about “Expected uptake of alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles until 2030 and their corresponding infrastructure needs“, released by the European Commission, with analysis by Transport & Mobility Leuven, Ramboll and the University of Antwerp.

The analysis, developed from quantitative modelling and qualitative stakeholder feedback, envisions a total of 534,000 zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles on the road by the end of the decade. Of these, the vast majority — around 459,000 — would be battery electric. This includes 102,000 buses and coaches, while hydrogen-powered vehicles are expected to represent a much smaller share, with just 6,000 hydrogen buses and coaches foreseen, alongside 68,000 hydrogen trucks.

The study highlights that “The offer of zero-emission models for the bus segment represents the largest part in the overall offer of zero-emission models. There are in fact 59 BEV buses available with ranges that reach 700 km and 15 FCEV bus models. The offer in the coach segment remains very limited. Always according to CALSTART data, considering the announcement up to 2027, only three coach models are available, two of which are FCEV. The lack of models available in the long-haul coach segment was also underlined by stakeholders during the consultation”.