Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, by what date orders should be placed to ensure the delivery of 4,000 zero emission buses by 2025.

The time between the allocation of Government funding for zero emission buses and their introduction into service will vary depending on a number of factors including: the vehicle technology that is chosen, the approach of the local area to procuring the vehicles, and the associated infrastructure required to support the vehicles.

On 30 March 2021, the Government launched the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme. Under this scheme local transport authorities will be able to bid for up to £120 million to introduce zero emission buses and associated infrastructure.

The scheme is a two-stage funding competition consisting of an Expression of Interest stage and a business case development stage. Local transport authorities will be able to choose whether they want to follow a fast track application process or a standard application process, depending on how well developed their proposals are.