The Scottish Government has launched the second phase of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB), with up to £58 million available.

Introduced in 2021, ScotZEB replaced previous funding streams as a means to encourage the bus industry to find new and innovative ways to finance zero emission buses and infrastructure. The second phase expands eligibility to coaches and community transport providers, to accelerate the transition to net zero.

The industry rose to the challenge of ScotZEB 1, delivering 276 zero-emission buses and bringing the total number in Scotland to nearly 600. By asking operators, financiers, manufacturers and others to work together, the second phase of ScotZEB seeks to rapidly accelerate the adoption of zero-emission buses.

Minister for Transport Kevin Stewart said: “The Scottish Government has already invested £113 million towards 548 zero-emission buses and supporting infrastructure, and I’m really pleased to now be making a further £58 million available.

“Launching the second phase of the ScotZEB Challenge Fund honours this Government’s pledge to drive forward a fully decarbonised future for Scotland’s buses; supporting operators of all sizes, including community transport, school bus and coach operators to transform their vehicles to zero-emissions and install infrastructure which can be shared with other fleets to help them make the switch too.

“We all have a part to play in tackling the global climate emergency. Bus is currently one of the most climate friendly transport choices the public can make, and I want to keep it that way for communities across all of Scotland.

“I will continue to challenge the bus and finance sectors to deliver excellence for Scotland and by launching ScotZEB 2, I hope to see truly transformational, collaborative change in the bus market towards a zero-emission future.”

The Minister launched ScotZEB 2 at Scottish bus manufacturing company, Alexander Dennis.