Increase in Zero-Emission Public Transportation Vehicles Across Europe
In 2022, a significant shift towards a greener future for urban mobility was evident as over 3,000 zero-emission city buses were sold across Europe, accounting for nearly 30% of all buses sold. This surge in sales signals a promising step towards reducing emissions and combatting climate change.
The landscape of zero-emission buses and coaches in Europe is rapidly evolving. While most coaches in Europe were powered by diesel in 2022, the use of diesel and natural gas in coaches and interurban buses is gradually decreasing as awareness of environmental impacts grows. Fuel cell technology made a notable presence in the European bus and coach market, with around 100 fuel cell buses sold in 2022, primarily in Germany and the Netherlands.
Finland, Denmark, and Bulgaria led Europe in sales of battery electric buses in 2022, followed closely by Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Estonia, on the other hand, had an impressive share of natural gas buses in its fleet, accounting for over 80%.
The progress made in 2022 provides a hopeful glimpse into a cleaner and more sustainable public transportation system for Europe. The Clean Vehicles Directive, introduced in 2021, mandates public procurements to purchase between 24% and 45% of alternatively fueled buses by December 2025. Half of these targets were met through zero-emission vehicle purchases.
However, challenges remain, such as disparities among member states and varying technology adoption rates in the zero-emission bus and coach market. France, Spain, and Italy continued to invest in natural gas technologies in 2022, indicating a need for continued efforts to promote the adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
As Europe continues its journey towards reducing emissions and combatting climate change, the role of zero-emission buses and coaches is set to become increasingly vital. The shift towards electrification is not only reducing emissions and noise pollution in city centers but also signaling a step towards a greener, more sustainable future for Europe's public transportation system.
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