German e-bus market grew +19% in the first half of the year (with Mercedes, MAN and VDL on the podium)

353 new electric buses were registered in Germany in the first half of the year, surpassing the 297 registered in the same period in 2023. Growth rate? +19 percent. These figures are reported by German trade media omnibus.news and are based on statistics by KBA.

This increase has yet to reflect the impact of discontinued federal support, the media notes. A recent industry survey of VDV member companies specifically showed that of the 2,396 locally emission-free city buses originally planned, only 42 per cent will be procured as planned.

Germany: electric bus market growing

In 2023 German bus and coach market grew 12.5% in 2023 and had 753 new electric buses over 8 ton registered, growing 20% 632 on 2022 (in 2021 it was 555). MAN, Mercedes and Ebusco were on the podium last year. Looking at the whole European e-bus market 2023, MAN emerged as the leader, followed by Solaris, Yutong (that had been in top position in 2022), and Wrightbus. 

Germany is now the second-largest market for electric buses in Europe, behind France. saw a 25.2% increase in new registrations, putting 407 new buses on the road by mid-year. France leads the continent with 424 new registrations, although this figure marks a 16.4% decline from 2023. The UK also made an impressive leap with 872 new electric buses, a 29% increase from the previous year, according to industry association ACEA.

Mercedes has taken the lead in Q1-Q2 2024 with 166 new eCitaro registrations. MAN maintained second place with 50 new registrations, slightly down from 63 in the same period last year but remaining optimistic for a strong second half. VDL, another Dutch manufacturer, holds third place with 46 buses, and Solaris leads the hydrogen bus sector with 22 new FCEV registrations in Germany.