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The European Electric Bus Statistics Report 2024/25: The Key Takeaways

Solaris is leading the hydrogen bus revolution

The European electric bus statistics report 2024/25 offers a detailed statistical analysis of passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and heavy-duty vehicle fleets in the European Union, covering trends from 2001 to 2023.

The report presents data on new vehicle registrations, emerging technologies, fuel consumption, and tailpipe emissions, offering valuable insights into the long-term trends shaping the European vehicle market.

While the report primarily focuses on Europe, its findings are highly relevant for the global bus industry, particularly in electrification, emissions reduction, infrastructure development, and policy innovation.

As the world moves toward modernizing public transport, it can draw lessons from Europe’s experience to build a sustainable and efficient bus ecosystem.

Also Read: Top 5 EKA Electric Buses at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025

The European Electric Bus Statistics Report 2024/25: The Key Takeaways
Image Credit: icct

Key European Market Statistics

CategoryKey Findings from Europe (2023)
Total New Vehicle Registrations10.6 million cars registered, a 14% increase from 2022
SUV Market ShareSUVs accounted for 48% of new car registrations
Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)BEVs made up 15% of new car sales, a 3% increase from 2022
Electrification of Buses40% of new buses registered were electric
CO2 Emissions ReductionAverage CO2 emissions dropped by 2 g/km, reaching 108 g/km
Commercial Vehicles – BEV Adoption10% of light and medium commercial vehicles were battery-electric
Heavy Trucks & Coaches – ElectrificationLess than 1% of heavy-duty trucks and coaches were electric
Hybrid Vehicle Market ShareHybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) reached 9% of all new vehicles
Diesel Market DeclineDiesel vehicle market share dropped to 18%, down from 53% in 2014

Insights for the Bus Industry from European Electric Bus Statistics Report

The European Electric Bus Statistics Report 2024/25: The Key Takeaways
Image Credit: icct

The European experience in decarbonizing its vehicle fleet offers valuable lessons for the global bus industry. These insights highlight how strong policy measures, technological advancements, and infrastructure expansion are shaping a low-emission, efficient public transport system.

The Growing Role of Electrification in Public Transport

The European Electric Bus Statistics Report 2024/25: The Key Takeaways
Image Credit: icct

European Findings:

  • 40% of new buses registered in 2023 were electric, reflecting strong policy incentives.
  • Under the Fit for 55 initiative, all new urban buses in the EU must be zero-emission by 2035.

Key Takeaways for the Bus Industry:

  • A structured phased electrification approach is crucial for transitioning bus fleets to zero-emission alternatives.
  • Expanding charging networks at key transport hubs is essential to support large-scale EV adoption.
  • Markets should consider policy mandates similar to Europe’s to ensure widespread fleet electrification.

Charging & Hydrogen Infrastructure as Enablers of Electrification

European Findings:

  • Public investment in charging infrastructure has significantly supported commercial vehicle electrification.
  • The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is funding fast-charging and hydrogen refueling networks to create seamless electric bus operations.
  • Hydrogen fuel cell technology is emerging as a solution for long-haul bus operations, addressing range limitations of battery-electric buses.

Key Takeaways for the Bus Industry:

  • Charging depots should be integrated into urban transport networks to support fleet electrification.
  • Hydrogen refueling stations can complement battery-electric solutions, especially for long-haul and intercity routes.
  • A balanced mix of electric and hydrogen-powered buses will be critical for achieving long-term emission reduction goals.

Policy & Financial Incentives Driving EV Adoption

European Findings:

  • Governments offer low-interest loans, leasing models, and direct subsidies to help bus fleet operators transition to electric models.
  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) play a major role in developing EV charging infrastructure.
  • Carbon credit systems and tax benefits are being used to accelerate the shift to zero-emission buses.

Key Takeaways for the Bus Industry:

  • Financial support mechanisms—such as leasing models, green loans, and subsidies—are crucial for lowering the high upfront costs of electric buses.
  • Public-private partnerships should be expanded to accelerate charging and refueling network deployment.
  • Carbon credit incentives can encourage private transport operators to invest in electric and hydrogen-powered buses.

The Future of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses for Long-Distance Travel

European Findings:

  • Germany and the Netherlands are leading investments in green hydrogen production for public transport.
  • Hydrogen fuel cell buses offer longer range and faster refueling, making them ideal for long-haul and intercity transport.

Key Takeaways for the Bus Industry:

  • Hydrogen fuel cells offer a complementary solution to battery-electric buses, particularly for regions with limited charging infrastructure.
  • Governments and transport agencies must invest in hydrogen refueling networks to ensure large-scale deployment.
  • A hybrid approach—combining battery-electric and hydrogen buses—can balance sustainability and operational efficiency.

Also Read: JBM Launches 4 New Electric Buses at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025

Electrification Challenges for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

European Findings:

  • Electrification of heavy-duty trucks and coaches remains low, with less than 1% market penetration.
  • Battery-electric solutions are more viable for light and medium commercial vehicles, which saw 10% BEV adoption in 2023.

Key Takeaways for the Bus Industry:

  • Long-haul buses face similar challenges as heavy trucks, making hydrogen fuel cells a more viable option than batteries alone.
  • Battery-electric buses are already practical for urban routes and should be prioritized for city transit networks.
  • Investments in charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure must extend beyond cities, supporting heavy-duty EV adoption on highways.

Comparison: Battery-Electric vs. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses

FeatureBattery-Electric Buses (BEVs)Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses
Best forUrban and short-range routesLong-haul and intercity routes
Infrastructure NeedsExtensive charging stationsHydrogen refueling networks
Environmental ImpactZero emissionsZero emissions, potential for green hydrogen

The European electric bus statistics report highlights the global shift toward sustainable transport, with electric and hydrogen buses emerging as the future of public mobility.

The path taken by Europe offers a valuable framework for modernizing bus networks worldwide, ensuring they remain efficient, financially viable, and environmentally sustainable.

The next decade will be transformative for public transport, and insights from Europe’s evolving bus industry can help accelerate sustainable mobility solutions across the world.

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