The Scottish Government has announced it is ‘currently examining options’ to ban new non-zero-emission buses from 2030.
Transport Scotland stated that it is exploring how to introduce new regulations that would prohibit the registration of new non-zero-emission buses after 2030.
The news is accompanied by an additional £40m for the second and final Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB2) scheme, which the Scottish Government plans to use to ‘expand the number of projects supported’ by the initiative.
It hopes that the fund will help introduce up to 300 zero-emission buses to Scotland’s public transportation system and allow the transport sector to ‘respond proactively to regulatory changes’.
Transport Scotland has also confirmed that the ScotZEB 2 investment is expected to be the final round of funding to support large operators to transition their vehicles.
Scottish transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said: ‘This further investment of up to £40 million from the Scottish Government through ScotZEB2 is a clear signal of our commitment to a zero-emission future for Scotland’s transport network.
‘Since 2020, we have invested over £154 million in zero-emission buses and infrastructure, and this new funding is aimed at helping more operators to make the switch.’
Under the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill that is currently making its way through Westminster parliament, the UK government is set to ban the use of new non-zero emission buses on local services in England from 2030.
Image credit: Christian Mueller / Shutterstock.com
