Scottish government announces £58 million funding boost for zero-emission buses

Credit: Scottish government

The Scottish government has announced that it has launched the second phase of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB), with up to £58 million available.

Introduced in 2021, ScotZEB replaced previous funding streams as a means to encourage the bus industry to find new and innovative ways to finance zero-emission buses and infrastructure. The second phase expands eligibility to coaches and community transport providers, to accelerate the transition to net zero.

The industry rose to the challenge of ScotZEB 1, delivering 276 zero-emission buses and bringing the total number in Scotland to nearly 600. By asking operators, financiers, manufacturers and others to work together, the second phase of ScotZEB seeks to rapidly accelerate the adoption of zero-emission buses.

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Minister for Transport Kevin Stewart said: “The Scottish government has already invested £113 million towards 548 zero-emission buses and supporting infrastructure, and I’m really pleased to now be making a further £58 million available. Launching the second phase of the ScotZEB Challenge Fund honours this government’s pledge to drive forward a fully decarbonised future for Scotland’s buses; supporting operators of all sizes, including community transport, school bus and coach operators to transform their vehicles to zero-emissions and install infrastructure which can be shared with other fleets to help them make the switch too.

Paul White, Director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport in Scotland, said: “Bus plays a pivotal role in meeting net zero targets. It is sustainable, flexible, accessible and as the fleet further transitions to zero-emissions, its green credentials only grow. This further round of ScotZEB will help support operator investment in Scotland, which is already leading the charge to net zero across the UK. We welcome the scheme and, in particular, its inclusion of coach, which plays a crucial role for many residents and visitors and supports our ‘green tourism’ ambitions.”