LONDON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Registrations of new buses, coaches and minibuses in the United Kingdom fell sharply in the first quarter of 2026, while the share of zero-emission buses reached a record high, according to data released Tuesday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
A total of 1,578 new buses, coaches and minibuses were registered between January and March, down 37.7 percent year-on-year, marking the third consecutive quarterly decline, the data showed.
The contraction was driven primarily by a sharp drop in minibus demand, with registrations plunging 56.0 percent to 572 units. Single-decker and double-decker bus registrations also declined, falling 15.5 percent and 22.1 percent to 584 units and 422 units respectively, according to the data.
Despite the overall downturn, the shift toward cleaner transport continued. Zero-emission bus registrations fell 20.4 percent to 588 units, but their market share rose to a record 37.3 percent, clear evidence of the sector's rapid transition to electric and hydrogen, the data said.
"After the bus market's boost over the past two years, a decline was always inevitable as the market stabilizes. With zero-emission buses taking such a high market share, all signs point to a market that is eagerly transitioning," Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said while releasing the data.
He added that further investment and policy support, particularly for local authorities and infrastructure such as grid connections at bus depots, will be essential to sustain growth and accelerate decarbonization. ■