Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many electric buses were introduced into (a) the UK and (b) Leeds in (i) 2019, (ii) 2020, (iii) 2021, (iv) 2022 and (v) to date in 2023; and what estimate he has made of the number planned to be introduced in (A) 2023, (B) 2024 and (C) 2025.

In the UK, in 2019, 105 Zero Emission Buses (ZEB) were registered for the first time. In 2020, this was 269, in 2021, 621, and for 2022, 649. This means, in 2021 and 2022, ZEBs equated to around 50% of new bus registrations in the UK.

In Leeds, 9 ZEBs were introduced in 2020, with a further 12 delivered in 2021. These were supported by the Department’s Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) Scheme and through Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding.

As part of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) received over £24 million to support 111 ZEBs, to serve Leeds, and other districts of the Combined Authority. Additionally, WYCA received funding through the Department’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) for a further 8 ZEBs. These are currently going through procurement exercises, and I would expect them to be delivered soon.

We also anticipate that up to the following ZEBs to be on the road over the next three years:

• 1,216 ZEBs funded by the ZEBRA scheme, and a further 20 Hydrogen buses funded by the ULEB scheme
• At least 63 buses funded as part of the Coventry All Electric Bus City scheme on top of the 112 already in service.
• 220 ZEBs funded by the Scottish Government
• 100 ZEBs funded by the Northern Irish Executive

I also welcome National Express’ recent announcement that they are investing in 300 UK-made electric buses, to be delivered by end of 2024. This investment was supported by uplift for ZEBs through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG).

The Department will provide details on future ZEB funding shortly.