Low Floor Buses Market Size, Share, Industry, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Floor Type (Full Low Floor Buses and Low Entry Buses), By Power Train Type (Parallel Hybrid Buses, Series Hybrid Buses, and Series-Parallel Hybrid Buses), and by Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

A low floor bus has no stairs between the ground and the bus's floor at one or more entrances and has a low floor for part or all of the passenger compartments. In certain places, a bus with a partly low floor is also known as a low-entry bus or, less frequently, a flat-floor bus. Low floor refers to a bus deck accessible from the sidewalk through a single step with a slight height difference produced primarily by the difference between the bus deck and the pavement. This is distinct from high-floor, a bus deck design that involves climbing one or more stairs (today known as step entry) to access the inner floor at a higher height.

Manufacturers in the global hybrid/electric bus market will witness positive growth in the coming years due to rising fuel costs and awareness about the benefit of utilizing hybrid/electric buses. The growing popularity of buses for public transit in many emerging nations is fueling market expansion. Low floor buses often have an area without seating (or seating that folds up) close to at least one of the entrances for wheelchairs, walkers, strollers/prams, and, where permitted, bicycles, so even a physically challenged person can also access the bus, thus creating suitability for all people and driving the market growth.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Low Floor (Hybrid) Buses Market

The fast spread of coronavirus throughout the world and the imposed lockdown in several countries hampered the global low floor buses market. This has disrupted the supply chains, effectively stopping the manufacture and construction of new buses worldwide. Manufacturers in the automotive and transportation industries are recouping losses caused by the disrupted environment and decreased sales of electric buses.

Hybrid/electric cars are in high demand in developing nations due to their fuel efficiency, great performance, and low-emission qualities; hybrid/electric cars are in high demand in developing nations. The growing popularity of battery-powered vehicles is driving the electric bus market growth. Due to increased awareness and benefits for all types of passengers, major companies in this bus industry are investing and extending their production capacities to deploy sustainable electric buses. Electric vehicle technological breakthroughs assist manufacturers in designing and developing hybrid buses.

Key Insights

The report will cover the following key insights:

• Key Industry Developments – Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships


• Porter’s Five Forces Analysis


• PEST Analysis


• Technological Developments


• Impact of COVID-19 on Global Low Floor Buses Market

Analysis by Floor Type

Low floor buses are broadly classified into two floor types, full low floor buses with a low floor throughout the length of the bus (more prevalent in Europe) and low entry buses with step-free access to only a portion of the vehicle, often between the front and center doors (more popular in North America). Both models are usually referred to as low floor in North America since most vehicles have a low floor with no stairs at the doors.

The primary rationale for selecting a low-entry arrangement is to allow for better positioning of the powertrain and other technical equipment in the elevated floor area and a more pleasant ride on bumpy roads.

Regional Analysis

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The market is segmented into four regions, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the rest of the world. The Asia Pacific region has the world's largest bus market. It is home to some of the world's most rapidly expanding and developing economies. The region's market expansion may be due to China's supremacy and key OEMs such as BYD, Yutong, Zhongtong, and Ankai. Also, companies in India, such as TATA and Ashok Leyland, are already leaders in bus production. They are now creating hybrid low floor buses, which would foster the growth of the Asia Pacific electric bus industry.

• In 2009, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation was one of India's first cities to introduce low floor buses.

Favorable legislation for hybrid/electric buses, cheaper electric and electronic components, and fast increasing charging infrastructure are expected to propel the region's hybrid low floor/electric bus business. Asia Pacific and Europe are expected to be the major low floor hybrid bus markets during the projection period. This is mostly due to the existence of significant industries in China, Germany, Japan, and India.

Key Players Covered

• Daimler (Germany)


• Volvo (Sweden)


• Wuzhoulong (China)


• Zhengzhou Yutong (China)


• King Long (China)


• New Flyer (Canada)


• Alexander Dennis Ltd. (U.K.)


• Foton Motors (China)


• Faw (China)


• Gillig (U.S.)

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In March 2022, Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) announced it would build an initial 10 "Enviro500EVs" electric double-decker buses for Hong Kong operator Kowloon Motor Bus Company (KMB), the electric double-decker buses in the Asia Pacific region.


• In September 2021, Volvo Bus Corporation (VBC) launched Volvo BZL electric low floor bus at Volvo Group Australia. It was officially handed over to the Western Australian Public Transport Authority (PTA).


• In June 2021, Alexander Dennis Ltd. introduced the first zero-emission three axles, low floor double deck bus, “the Enviro 500EV CHARGE”.