Waning minibus demand in Q3, which saw overall bus, coach and minibus registrations fall 17% to 1,965 units. This contrasts with the strong year-to-date growth of 26.9% and the rising zero-emission uptake, which reached 28.7% of all registrations.
Q3 Decline Driven by Falling Minibus Demand but Zero-Emission Uptake Rises
UK registrations of new buses, coaches and minibuses fell by 17.0% in the third quarter of 2025, reaching 1,965 units, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The decline marks the end of nine consecutive quarters of growth, with falling minibus registrations being chiefly responsible.
Volumes decreased by 39.8% to 895 units, following strong growth in the same period last year. Single- and double-deck bus and coach registrations, however, both rose by 35.8% and 5.7% to 626 and 444 units, respectively.
Zero-emission vehicle uptake also recorded growth, rising 16.3% in the quarter to 563 units and accounting for more than a quarter (28.6%) of all new buses, coaches, and minibuses joining the road in July, August, and September.
Diesel registrations, meanwhile, declined by 25.5% to 1,402 units. This progress reflects significant industry investment in new technologies, with more than 20 zero-emission models now available, alongside government support through Zero Emission Bus Regional Area funding.
Regional Market Performance: England Leads While Scotland Surges
England captured 87.0% of the market, equivalent to 1,709 registrations, although its registrations fell 17.9% compared to the same period in 2024. The second-largest market, Scotland, saw the most growth, increasing by 96.9% to 191 units, while fleet renewal declined in Wales and Northern Ireland – down 65.9% and 61.9%, respectively – but at small volumes of just 57 and 8 registrations, respectively.
Despite the overall quarterly decline, 2025 still saw the second-best Q3 since 2017,1, while year-to-date registrations are 26.9% above 2024 volumes, at 7,465 units. More than half (53.5%) of demand has been driven by minibuses, with a 23.4% increase, meaning almost 4,000 have entered service since January. Registrations of single- and double-decker buses, meanwhile, have risen by 28.4% and 35.0%, respectively, with 1,965 and 1,503 units joining the road this year.
Zero-Emission Growth Strengthens as UK Retains Europe’s Top Position
Even more positively, more than one in four (28.7%) new registrations in the first nine months have been zero-emission, equivalent to 1,918 units and up 55.9% year-over-year. The UK, as a result, remains Europe’s largest zero-emission bus market – a significant achievement, but one that can only be sustained with a renewed focus on delivering charging infrastructure fit for the sector. A long-term national infrastructure strategy, with provisions at depots, shared hubs, and along routes, will be vital to ensure that zero-emission mass transport becomes a reality for operators and passengers.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “A dip in registrations is disappointing but not enough to stall fleet renewal year-to-date. Yet more growth in zero emission demand is good new as the sector continues to invest in new, cleaner models to give operators choice.”
“Given the role these public transport vehicles play in delivering mobility for millions of people – especially in urban and rural areas – we must focus on speeding up the transition. That means investing in sector-specific charging and continuation of Zero Emission Bus Regional Area funding.”
