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Zero-emission Buses

05 July 2022

Lead MP

Robert Goodwill
Scarborough and Whitby
Con

Responding Minister

Trudy Harrison

Tags

Foreign AffairsEnergy
Word Count: 13963
Other Contributors: 10

At a Glance

Robert Goodwill raised concerns about zero-emission buses in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key Requests to Government:

When will the promised 4,000 ZEBRA zero-emission buses be on our streets? What can you do to ensure they are British-built rather than Chinese? After considering practicality, what would be a realistic date to phase out the sale of diesel buses?

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Scarborough and Whitby
Opened the debate
I am concerned about the lack of orders for the promised 4,000 zero-emission buses under the ZEBRA scheme. Bus registrations are at an all-time low due to the pandemic and there is a risk that volume production will not be sustained without immediate orders from the UK government. I also worry about the disproportionate influence China has over raw materials necessary for battery production and the threat this poses to UK manufacturers such as Alexander Dennis Ltd, Switch Mobility, and Wrightbus.

Government Response

Trudy Harrison
Government Response
The Government are investing £525 million to support zero-emission buses, funding 2,921 buses across the UK. One thousand two hundred and seventy-eight zero-emission buses have been supported through the Zero-Emission Bus Regional Area Scheme (ZEBRA), with further orders expected by March 2024. More than £200 million of dedicated funding for ZEBs is available over the remainder of the spending review period, and an uplift has been introduced for ZEBs through the bus service operators grant. The sale of new diesel buses will be phased out, with hydrogen production capacity doubled to 10 GW. The Minister pledged to visit Alexander Dennis during the summer recess.
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About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.