Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has launched a multimillion-pound scheme to enable local transport authorities to roll out zero-emission buses through the Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme.
The ZEBRA funding will deliver up to 500 zero-emission buses, supporting the government’s wider commitment to introduce 4,000 zero-emission buses. Local authorities will be able to bid for funding to purchase zero-emission buses as part of their initiative to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.
This funding comes from a wider £3-billion fund announced by government to improve bus services in a national bus strategy published earlier this month on 15 March.
Bidders will have until 21 May 2021 to submit expressions of interest for a fast track process to allow local transport authorities with well-developed proposals to move quickly in their bid to secure funding.
However, so that all local authorities have the opportunity to submit bids, those needing more time have until 25 June 2021 to submit their interest.
Transport Secretary Grant Schapps commented: ‘We have set out our vision of how we are going to make buses better in this country, and now we are getting on with delivering it.
‘The launch of the scheme today means we’re giving businesses and local authorities the tools to help deliver the 4,000 zero-emission buses we said we would introduce, which will dramatically improve air quality in towns and cities across the country, helping us achieve our net-zero ambitions.’
This announcement of funding comes as government announce over £30 million to support pioneering research into battery technology, the electric vehicle supply chain, and hydrogen vehicles.
22 studies will receive a portion of £9.4 million, including a proposal to build a plant in Cornwall to extract lithium for use in electric vehicle batteries, a plan to build specialised magnets for electric vehicle motors in Cheshire, and a lightweight hydrogen storage for cars and vans in Loughborough.
