£10.4 million boost to supercharge electric buses across the North West and Midlands

12 March 2026 2

Thousands of passengers across the North West and Midlands are set for greener and quieter everyday journeys thanks to a £10.5 million Government investment to deliver a new fleet of zero-emission buses.

Across the region, new electric buses will replace older diesel vehicles, cutting harmful emissions and improving journeys for people travelling for work, education and healthcare.

The investment spans three projects: £7.3 million to Liverpool to deliver 36 new zero-emission buses, £2.2 million to West Northamptonshire for 17 new buses, and £1 million to Nottinghamshire for a further 11 buses, all through expansions of existing Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) projects.

The investment forms part of a £73.2 million package that will deliver 484 zero-emission buses across England, building on the Government’s existing ZEBRA programme, which has already funded more than 2,500 cleaner buses nationally.

Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said: “Buses are the backbone of our public transport system, and passengers in Liverpool, Nottinghamshire and West Northamptonshire deserve a network they can rely on and be proud of.

“This funding will replace polluting diesel buses with new electric vehicles that will make a real difference to people’s daily lives, better connecting them to work, to healthcare and to opportunity, whilst cleaning up the air we all breathe.

“We’re delivering better connections for people getting about their daily lives, and I’m proud to back the regions’ ambition to do it.”

Together, these investments support the Government’s broader plan for better buses, underpinned by the landmark Bus Services Act 2025, which handed councils new powers to shape their local networks and accelerate the transition to cleaner, greener transport.

Graham Vidler, CEO of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: “[The] announcement is a welcome step forward for the UK’s transition to greener public transport. Bus operators across the country are committed to decarbonising their fleets, with the Government funding announced today being matched by more than £94 million of investment from operators in new vehicles and charging infrastructure.

“This partnership between government and industry is exactly what is needed to deliver the next generation of greener, quieter buses while maintaining reliable services for passengers.”

Written by: Ian Perry

Bus buses Electric Government investment Nottinghamshire public transport