Denmark leads EU on deployment of zero-emission buses: report

(EurActiv, 15 Jan 2021) Denmark has the most zero-emission urban buses on the roads in Europe, with electric buses making up 78% of its new vehicles, according to the latest data from Transport and Environment (T&E), a green NGO.

Luxembourg and the Netherlands were close behind with around two-thirds of new buses emitting zero emissions.

“Urban bus fleets drive millions of kilometers every year. If we want to decarbonise our cities, these vehicles must become emissions free as soon as possible,” said James Nix, freight manager at T&E.

“Nordic states, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are showing how to put e-buses on the road. Other countries, especially those buying a lot of buses, like Italy, Spain and France, and those at the very start of the transition, such as Austria, need to step it up,” he added.

Both Austria and Ireland had no zero-emission urban buses in 2019, while Switzerland and Greece had less than 4%.

These countries will have to rapidly increase their efforts to meet the minimum share of zero-emission buses decided at EU level. At least a quarter of new public buses will need to be ‘clean’ by 2025, according to new public procurement rules agreed two years ago.

For buses, that means they must run off hydrogen, electric batteries (including plug-in hybrids), natural gas, liquid biofuel or synthetic and parafinnic fuels.

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EurActiv, 15 Jan 2021: Denmark leads EU on deployment of zero-emission buses: report