According to the NGO Transport & Environment, nearly half of all buses sold in the EU in 2024 were zero-emission. While electric vehicles dominate, hydrogen-powered buses are also gaining momentum.
The study reveals that electric vehicles made up 46% of new bus sales (compared to 33% in France). However, 2024 also saw faster-than-expected growth in hydrogen-powered buses, which now account for 3% of new buses. In some countries, this figure reached 5% (Spain, Poland) and even 9% (Germany).
France lags behind the EU average in terms of electrification but stands out in Europe for its high share of gas registrations (including biogas), accounting for 39% of the national market. “The success of zero-emission buses is due to European regulations, which have clearly signalled to the market that the days of diesel are numbered,” says Marie Chéron, e-mobility expert for T&E France. She adds, “Municipal policies, such as low-emission zones and fleet greening targets, have also had a significant impact.”
If current growth continues, 100% of new city buses purchased in 2027 will be zero-emission — a milestone already achieved by the Netherlands, Finland, and Iceland outside the EU.
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