London accelerates zero‑emission transport across multiple fronts

Welcome to Net Zero News, your daily briefing on the UK’s transition to a low‑carbon future.

London’s transport sector is accelerating progress towards decarbonisation with a wave of practical advances spanning buses, freight vehicles and regulation. These developments are delivering carbon savings and infrastructure improvements, while signalling the UK’s commitment to transitioning road transport to zero emissions.

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that more than 2,000 zero‑emission buses are now operating on London routes accounting for approximately 20 per cent of the capital’s fleet. This is a significant increase from just 30 such vehicles in 2016. TfL remains on track to transition its entire bus fleet to zero‑emission by 2030, a shift projected to save around five million tonnes of CO₂ over two decades. The milestone positions London with the largest zero‑emission bus fleet in Western Europe and builds on the continued compliance of remaining buses with Euro VI standards. TfL’s investment has also supported green supply chains, with 30 per cent of its suppliers now in low‑carbon sectors and ten per cent in technology and data.

Meanwhile, across Great Britain, the zero‑emission bus (ZEB) market grew significantly in 2024. Nearly 1,600 electric or hydrogen buses entered service—a 35.5 per cent increase year‑on‑year. Ownership of zero‑emission options expanded, with 17 models available and registrations rising sharply across all types of buses. The Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funding scheme has contributed to this acceleration, with new orders expected from the second phase of funding. Britain retained its status as the largest bus market in Europe by deliveries, totalling 8,390 new buses, while minibuses and single/double‑deckers were particularly prominent, with increases of 102.5 per cent and 22.5–69.6 per cent respectively. Growth was strong across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, though Scotland saw a 15.6 per cent drop. England accounted for 87.4 per cent of new vehicle deliveries.

In commercial fleet electrification, retailer Marks & Spencer has deployed 85 zero or low‑emission vehicles across its logistics network. This includes five battery‑electric HGVs operating between its distribution centre and stores, as part of the eFREIGHT 2030 government demonstrator programme. In addition, M&S has begun using compressed natural gas trucks powered by biomethane educing CO₂ emissions by up to 85 per cent compared to conventional diesel. These vehicles now represent nearly 10 per cent of M&S’s fleet as it progresses its Plan A roadmap to net zero by 2040.

Addressing regulatory barriers, the Department for Transport is proposing to remove mandatory driver training for heavier electric vans, aligning them with petrol and diesel equivalents. Legislation under Parliamentary consideration would allow standard Category B licence holders to operate zero‑emission vans up to 4.25 tonnes without undertaking additional training. The change, expected this spring, aims to reduce hiring costs and simplify fleet transitions. Simultaneously, the Plug‑in Van Grant (PiVG) has been extended into 2025/26, offering up to £2,500 for small vans and £5,000 for larger vans, alongside continued support for taxis, motorcycles and accessible vehicles.

Responding to the erosion of London’s Cleaner Vehicle Discount under its Congestion Charge regime, industry groups are warning that phased reductions—starting with a shift to partial discounts in January 2026 could impede EV adoption. The Cleaner Vehicle Discount, offering 100 per cent relief for electric vehicles, ends on 25 December 2025. It will be replaced with a 50 per cent discount for vans and 25 per cent for cars, with further reductions in 2030. Signatories of an open letter highlight additional operational costs of up to £3,000 per year per driver, risking a reversal of progress in electrifying central London fleets.

What this means:
The UK’s net‑zero transport transition continues to deliver momentum across multiple vector points. The rapid deployment of zero‑emission buses in London, and record growth in ZEB registrations nationally, show that decarbonisation of public transport is becoming tangible reality. Fleet operators like M&S are proving that electric HGVs and biomethane solutions are viable for logistics. Regulatory reform and grant extensions are easing the path for commercial fleets, while campaigners warn that policy reversals such as reduced congestion charge relief could disrupt adoption rates.

London’s leadership in low‑emission buses sets a precedent for urban fleet transformation. National momentum via ZEBRA funding and expanding model availability signals scaling opportunity, yet regions like Scotland must be supported to achieve equitable progress. Meanwhile, exemptions to licensing requirements and grant continuity reduce friction for fleet operators, but emerging congestion charge costs risk introducing new headwinds.

Overall, progress across policy, infrastructure and fleet operations underscores the UK’s layered approach to transport decarbonisation balancing innovation, regulation and behavioural incentives. Maintaining coherence across these levers will be essential to reach net‑zero transport and deliver economic, environmental and public‑health gains.

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