The government is investing £37.8 million in greener, better buses and will deliver 319 new zero emission buses.

For each pound of government funding, there is set to be at least £3 of private investment.

The funding has been distributed across 12 successful local authorities across England, following bids to expand their zero emission bus fleets, and will see hundreds of new buses reach community by spring 2027.

This follows the government’s changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate yesterday, which added flexibility to the mandate of up to 2030 and allowing hybrid vehicles to be sold until 2035. This was in support of UK electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers.

Councils that won large amounts of funding include: Nottinghamshire County Council, which will benefit from £2.6 million to launch 42 electric buses, Hull City Council, where £3.9 million will provide 42 vehicles, and the West of England Combined Authority, which will receive almost £20 million to go towards 160 buses.

This funding comes on top of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area 2 (ZEBRA 2) programme, which has funded a further 995 zero emission buses. The government is ensuring that UK-based manufacturers will benefit from these bus orders, with 60 per cent of buses funded by previous ZEBRA investments are being procured from domestic firms. This, in turn, supports skilled jobs and growing regional economies to improve living standards, as per the government’s Plan for Change.

Local transport minister, Simon Lightwood, said: “I’m thrilled to announce this £38 million investment, which will deliver 219 new zero emission buses to communities across England by 2027. This funding will not only make bus travel cleaner, greener and more comfortable, but it will deliver on our Plan for Change, creating jobs, supporting local economies and accelerating our journey towards a net zero emission future.

“By backing local councils and UK manufacturers, we are putting the power in the hands of communities, while helping to deliver on our vision of a sustainable, green transport network.

“From Hull to Hove, there’s an electrifying future on the way for our buses.”