The government has announced plans to invest £37.8m in hundreds of new green buses across England.

The 319 zero emission buses are due to be delivered by spring 2027, giving passengers “greener, smoother and quieter” bus journeys.

Every pound of government funding is set to be topped up by at least £3 of private investment.

The funding has been allocated to 12 successful local authorities across England – following bids to expand their zero emission bus fleets.

It comes as the government made changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate yesterday (7 April), including increasing flexibility of the mandate up to 2030 and allowing hybrid vehicles to be sold until 2035, all with the aim of supporting UK electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers.

Local transport minister, Simon Lightwood, said: “By backing local councils and UK manufacturers, we are putting the power in the hands of communities, while helping to deliver on our vision of a sustainable, green transport network.”

Among the biggest winners are Nottinghamshire County Council, which will benefit from £2.6m to launch 42 new electric buses, Hull City Council, where £3.9m has been allocated to provide 42 vehicles and the West of England Combined Authority, which will receive nearly £20m for 160 buses. 

This funding comes on top of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area 2 (ZEBRA 2) programme, which has funded a further 995 zero emission buses. 

Funding will see vital bus routes given a new lease of life, for example in Bristol, where funding will be used to expand zero emission bus services across 22 different routes through the city, connecting passengers with vital services including hospitals and universities.