March 19, 2026
Global electric bus sales remain heavily concentrated in China, which dominates the market throughout 2014–2024. Annual BEV bus sales in China rise from about 4,000 units in 2014 to a peak of 88,000 units in 2017, before moderating and stabilizing at 48,000 units in 2024. PHEV bus sales in China remain comparatively small, fluctuating mostly below 2,000 units per year, indicating a strong preference for full electrification.
Key Trends:
- Europe shows steady but much smaller volumes, with BEV bus sales increasing gradually from a few hundred units in the mid-2010s to around 9,600 units in 2024. PHEV buses remain marginal in Europe, consistently below 200 units per year, underscoring policy and procurement preferences for zero-emission buses.
- The United States remains a niche market for electric buses. Annual BEV bus sales rise from negligible levels in 2014 to approximately 2,200 units in 2024, while PHEV bus sales are minimal or absent across most years.
- The rest of the world shows gradual uptake, with BEV bus sales increasing from near zero in 2014 to about 8,100 units in 2024. PHEV bus sales outside major markets remain negligible, reinforcing the global trend toward BEV dominance in public transport electrification.
Overall, the data indicate that electric bus adoption is overwhelmingly BEV-led, driven primarily by China, with Europe and the rest of the world expanding from a much smaller base and PHEVs playing only a limited, transitional role.
See Also:
Electric Trucks Sales 2014-2024
References:
“Global EV Data Explorer.”, International Energy Agency, July 2025, https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/global-ev-data-explorer and Incorrys data