Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses Roll Out in Surrey’s Clean Transport Overhaul

Surrey County Council is hitting the road with a bold step toward cleaner public transport—rolling out 34 hydrogen-powered buses across busy commuter routes like Gatwick, Epsom, Reigate and Horley. It’s a big move in their journey to build a zero-emission fleet, and it’s made possible thanks to their partnership with Metrobus and Wrightbus, coupled with a solid boost of £1.7 million from the UK Department for Transport.

Green hydrogen on the move

These new buses are powered by green hydrogen, which means their only tailpipe emission is water vapor. No polluting exhaust fumes—just clean, quiet rides. Over the course of their lifetimes, these buses are expected to slash emissions by an impressive 112,000 tonnes of CO₂. That’s a big win for local air quality and a major nod toward the UK’s sustainable energy goals.

More than just new buses

But Surrey isn’t stopping at the buses. They’re also upgrading passenger information systems, adding new community minibuses, and laying down the essential hydrogen infrastructure including refueling stations. Sure, cost is still a challenge. But when you look at the bigger picture—integrated planning and collaboration—this is the kind of forward-thinking that other councils might want to follow if they’re serious about switching to zero-emission technology.

Setting the pace for sustainable transport

With this rollout, Surrey County Council is positioning itself as a frontrunner in the UK’s sustainable mobility space. It’s real proof that when local government, private companies, and national support work together, we can get hydrogen fuel cells not just off the ground—but on the road, driving everyday change.