The European Union (EU) is accelerating its shift to zero-emission mobility, with ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions in line with its climate objectives. One of the key challenges for public authorities is procuring and implementing zero-emission bus systems. To support this effort, the Mobility Community of Practice (CoP) within the Big Buyers Working Together (BBWT) Project will focus on advancing the procurement of Zero-Emission Bus Systems and Services. This CoP will help public authorities build the knowledge and skills needed to meet the EU's targets for zero-emission urban bus fleets. It will serve as a crucial platform for collaboration, offering tools, guidance, and expertise to navigate the complexities of zero-emission bus procurement.

EU Policy Context and the Urgent Need for Action

The EU has set clear goals to reduce carbon emissions across all sectors, with the transport sector being a top priority. Under the EU’s CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), 90% of new city buses must be zero-emission by 2030, and 100% by 2035. Additionally, the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) sets national targets for clean bus procurement, ranging from 24% to 45% by 2025 and 33% to 66% by 2030, based on a country’s population and GDP. Half of these targets must be met with zero-emission buses.

These policy targets represent a transformative shift in the urban mobility landscape, positioning zero-emission buses at the forefront of sustainable transportation solutions. However, achieving these ambitious goals requires strategic planning and knowledge sharing, especially in public procurement processes. The CoP will provide a much-needed framework for public authorities to learn from each other and develop effective strategies to meet these targets, helping them to navigate the complexities of transitioning their bus fleets to zero-emission alternatives.

Market Uptake and EU Funding Opportunities

The transition to zero-emission buses is already underway, but progress remains uneven across Europe. According to the UITP Clean Bus Report, as of 2022, approximately 12% of Europe’s urban bus fleet was zero-emission, including battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses. While this represents significant progress, it also underscores the challenge ahead: out of Europe’s total fleet of around 700,000 buses, approximately 616,000 still need to be replaced or retrofitted to meet the EU’s 100% zero-emission target.

Recognizing the scale of this challenge, the EU has made available a range of financial programmes to support public authorities in their efforts. Funding opportunities from sources such as InvestEU, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the Resilience and Recovery Fund, the Just Transition Mechanism, and the Social Climate Fund provide substantial support for the procurement of zero-emission bus systems and the necessary infrastructure. The CoP will play an important role in helping public authorities identify and access these funding streams, ensuring that cities across Europe are well-positioned to accelerate the transition to sustainable urban transport.

Building on the Legacy of EU-Funded Projects

The CoP will build on the legacy of previous EU-funded initiatives, such as ZeEUs, ASSURED, and the Clean Bus Europe Platform, all of which have made significant contributions to advancing clean bus fleets across Europe. These projects have fostered collaboration between transport operators, authorities, and industry stakeholders, creating valuable tools and guidance that will serve as a foundation for the new CoP.

By leveraging the knowledge gained from these earlier projects, the CoP aims to engage a broader group of stakeholders, including medium-sized and smaller cities where the adoption of zero-emission buses has been slower.

Expanding the Scope Beyond Fleet Operations

The CoP will not only focus on fleet procurement but will also explore a wider range of related areas that are crucial for the successful deployment of zero-emission buses. This includes addressing challenges related to charging infrastructure, such as the type, capacity, and management of chargers, as well as issues surrounding life cycle assessment, energy supply, depot and maintenance planning, and staff training.

By adopting a holistic approach, the CoP will help public authorities develop comprehensive strategies for zero-emission bus systems, ensuring that they are well-prepared to meet the EU’s climate goals while improving the quality of urban mobility for all citizens.

Register now for the online kick-off to be held on 20 November

The CoP will be launched through an online kick-off meeting which will take place on 20 November from 14:00 to 16:00. The programme will include an introduction to the BBWT Project and Public Buyers Community Platform, an overview of relevant EU-funded clean bus initiatives and testimonials from cities, transport authorities and operators, and take stock of specific interests and expected outcomes, which will be used to develop the CoP’s roadmap. 

To register, please fill in the registration form. 

For more information about the BBWT Project, click here.

For any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the project team via big.buyers@eurocities.eu