The Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (Zebra) 2 scheme will initially reserve £25 million for proposals to introduce Zebs in rural areas, recognising the additional challenges this may bring. All applicants will also be able to seek funding for zero emission minibuses that are used on local bus services.
The scheme is seeking to help LTAs and bus operators that have little to no experience with Zebs benefit from this funding. Therefore, LTA’s that did not receive previous Zebra funding will be prioritised over those that did.
Proposals seeking funding for battery electric buses will be required to demonstrate at least low value for money (VfM), as measured through our greener bus tool. This is a key requirement and battery electric proposals assessed to be poor VfM will not receive funding.
Hydrogen fuel cell bus proposals that are assessed to be poor VfM could be funded, provided they offer a genuine learning and innovation opportunity, such as the vehicles will operate on longer distance bus routes in rural areas.
More information on how to apply for the scheme is available here.
This second phase of the Zebra scheme builds on the success of the first round of funding, through which 1,300 Zebs were funded.
Additionally, Harper announced the launch of a new research hub, backed by £10 million in funding from the Department for Transport, National Highways, HS2, Network Rail and UK Research and Innovation.
Newcastle University, Heriot-Watt University, University of Cambridge and University of Glasgow have been awarded the funding to establish the Net Zero Transport for a Resilient Future Hub, where they will develop ideas to ensure future transport infrastructure is low-carbon and resilient.
Funding for the research hub will be used to develop new ways of modelling cities and towns, and understanding how vital structures such as bridges and rail lines can handle severe weather events such as flooding. The hub will work with local authorities and industry to identify practical opportunities to make it easier for people to travel with greater choice and less disruption.