Trolley Bus Market - By Product, By Length, By Seating Capacity, By Application, Growth Forecast 2025 - 2034

Trolley Bus Market Size

The global trolley bus market was valued at USD 1.35 billion in 2024 and is estimated to register a CAGR of 3.2% between 2025 and 2034. The global market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing urbanization, environmental concerns, and the push for sustainable public transportation solutions. Trolley buses provide an added green option to diesel-powered buses through overhead electric supply with a tractable hybrid option thereby lowering sustainability for consumption, GHG emissions and improvement in urban air quality.
 

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) predicts that electric buses, including trolley buses, will represent more than 50% of the bus total market by 2030. This change is positively impacted through government activities designed to provide clean energy options and finance to enhance the development of electric public transportation infrastructures. The market is being disrupted in different ways through new technologies and systems, such as an in-motion charging system that can enable trolley buses to operate without power being supplied continuously through overhead lines disrupting the project and driving costs down for the infrastructure and positive changes for more mobile and flexible routes.
 

Countries such as China, Germany, and Brazil lead in the trolley bus market, supported through large grants with government policies that are based on clean air/energy and environmental impacts related to urban pollution. In China, the Ministry of Transport has implemented programs that impact urban transit systems to include electric buses. Trolley buses offer a cost-effective solution with lower operational costs compared to diesel buses, making them an attractive option for city planners and transit authorities.
 

Trolley Bus Market Trends

• The global push towards electrification in public transport is a key trend affecting the market. Government globally are introducing policies to lower carbon emissions and support sustainable urban mobility. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that electric buses, including trolley buses, will represent 60% of new bus sales in 2040.
   
• Electric public transport infrastructure is being invested in by cities to tackle air pollution and address climate targets. For instance, the European Commission's "Clean Bus Deployment Initiative" seeks to speed up the deployment of clean buses, including trolley buses, in Europe. This initiative offers cities financial assistance and technical support for shifting to electric bus fleets.
   
• Technological advancements are revolutionizing trolley bus systems, making them more efficient, reliable, and attractive. A prominent example is the innovation of in-motion charging (IMC) technology, which enables trolley buses to charge their batteries when they are connected to overhead wires and run on battery power in unwired areas. The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) states that research has confirmed smart grid integration can save upwards of 30% in energy savings for electric bus operations.
   
• Government incentives and funding play a crucial role in propelling the development of the market. Regulations and incentives have been put in place by most countries to encourage the use of electric public transport, such as trolley buses. In the European Union, the Clean Vehicles Directive requires that a percentage of public transport vehicles purchased by authorities be clean vehicles, including electric buses such as trolley buses. This directive is intended to spur the market for clean cars and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
   

Trump Administration Tariffs

• The imposition of tariffs by Trump Administration on key imports (aka steel, aluminum, electronic control units, hydraulic components) might impact the global trolley bus market, specifically the North American market, which need high-quality imports.
   
• Trolley buses require lightweight structural metals, modern electric drivetrains, and sophisticated control systems, which include imported materials and supplier parts from top countries such as Germany, China, and Italy. Due to this event, the costs of these imports getting high, production costs also increased, placing pressure on profit, and any budgeted expenditures were negatively impacted for manufacturers and transit agencies.
   
• Transit ambiguity had a more direct impact on North American trolley bus makers and the municipalities who operate trolley bus transit fleet services. Similar to other precision-engineered transit vehicles, trolley buses are equipped with telescoping arms, pantograph systems, and are constructed with aluminum-bodied chassis that help assure agility, efficiency, and energy conservation.
   
• In addition to rising prices of high-tensile alloys and aluminum for custom builds, the price shock on tariffed materials contributed to production delays while establishing or reviewing sourcing and procurement strategies, leaving the company with no alternative than to pass along price increases to the public agency introducing them into the fleet.
   

Trolley Bus Market Analysis

Based on type, the market is divided into Electric trolley bus and Hybrid/Battery trolley bus. In 2024, Electric trolley bus held 65% of the market share and it is expected that the market for this segment will generate revenue of over USD 1.2 billion by 2034.
 

• Electric trolley buses hold a significant share of the global market, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional diesel-fueled buses. Fueled by electricity from overhead wires, the Electric trolley buses emit zero tailpipe emissions, helping to create cleaner air and lower greenhouse gas emissions in cities.
   
• Electric buses, such as trolley buses, are set to capture a high percentage of new bus sales by 2030, underpinned by government policies to switch to clean energy and concern about the environment, says UITP, the International Association of Public Transport.
   
• Electric trolley buses also have operational benefits, including reduced fuel and maintenance expenses over diesel buses. Improvements in battery technology and on-board charging systems have also improved their efficiency and route flexibility, making them a vital choice for contemporary urban public transport systems.
   
• Cities across the globe are investing in electric trolley bus systems as part of their green transportation plans. For example, Indian city Nagpur, will introduce trolley-electric buses with lower fares and new facilities.

Based on length, the trolley bus market is categorized into up to 10 meters, 10 to 12 meters, more than 12 meters. The 10 to 12 meters segment held a market share of 55% in 2024.
 

• The 10–12-meter length segment is the leading segment in the trolley bus industry, providing an optimal combination of passenger capacity and maneuverability. The medium-sized trolley buses are ideal for public transport in urban areas, with the ability to transport a high number of passengers while effectively operating on narrow urban roads and crowded traffic conditions.
   
• This segment experiencing growth in recent years, for instance, in March 2025, Solaris won a contract in Canada for the supply of 107 units of 12-meter trolley buses. In accordance with the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), buses between the range of 10–12 meters are extensively used in urban public transit systems due to their adaptability and affordability. These buses suit routes with moderate or high passenger traffic.
   
• To address the increasing demand for sustainable and efficient urban transport, manufacturers are targeting this sector more and more. For example, In July 203, the Škoda Group has supplied trolley buses to Pardubice, a lively urban hub. The Škoda 32 Tr trolley buses, with a 12-meter-long body, have been ordered by the Transport Company of Pardubice to improve the city bus fleet.
   

Based on Seating capacity, the trolley bus market is divided into Less than 50 seats, 50-100 seats, and Above 100 seats. The 50-100 seats segment dominated the market in 2024.
 

• Trolley buses with 50–100 seat capacity are most demanding seating capacity for city public transport, offering the required capacity to transport large volumes of people in peak hours. This segment fills the gap needed for effective mass transit options in compact cities. High-capacity buses, including trolley buses with seating capacities from 50-100, are important to mitigate congestion and improve the efficiency of public transport, according to the International Association of Public Transport (UITP). They also provide lower per-passenger emissions and operating costs.
   
• Manufacturers such as Yutong Bus and Škoda are launching trolley bus models in this seating capacity range to address the needs of high-capacity urban transportation issues. These trolley buses are fitted with features such as low-floor construction for convenient boarding, sophisticated propulsion systems, and passenger comfort features. Beijing, China, among other cities, has introduced high-capacity trolley buses to boost their public transportation systems, in a bid to decrease dependence on private cars and ease traffic congestion.
   

Based on Application, the trolley bus market is categorized into public transport, tourism, airport shuttle, others. The public transport segment held a market share of 70% in 2024.
 

• Public transportation is the most widespread and predominant area of trolley bus application. Trolleybuses' ecological advantages combined with the effectiveness in carrying heavy volumes of passengers render them optimal for everyday city and interurban transport. According to the UITP, transport authorities are setting priorities for electromobility for public transport with the aim to satisfy the challenges for sustainability by the international plans like the SDGs of the UN and the Paris Climate Agreement.
   
• One of the major examples in Europe and Asia, where municipalities are leading the trolley buses market. For instance, under the general "Green Urban Transport Initiative," Leipzig has expanded trolley bus routes to support climate neutrality goals by 2035. Also, Guangzhou and Hangzhou in China have dedicated continued investment in public electric transport projects under the Electric Bus Expansion Program, which was announced with the Ministry of Transport.

In 2024, Asia-Pacific held the largest share of the global trolley bus market, with the China accounting for over 40% of the regional revenue, generating USD 237.3 million.
 

• China's market is highly influenced by the rapid urbanization and commitment of government authorities to sustainable public transit. Cities prioritizing electrified mobility solutions to address congestion and pollution are becoming commonplace.
   
• Trolley buses and trolley buses powered by in-motion charging (IMC) are being blended into transport networks to satisfy the current demand. This development supports China's larger 'industrial' strategy to end reliance on fossil fuels and to advance electric mobility using subsidies, infrastructure development, and locally induced innovation.
   
• Microeconomic factors such as dominant domestic production, demand for affordable urban mobility, and technological edge largely factor in. Chinese manufacturers such as Yutong and Zhongtong are enhancing both their local and global positions by exploiting economies of scale paired with a foray of government-supported industrial policies. For example, cities such as Jinan are paving the way as models of successful electric trolley buses use where other cities are now looking toward useful solution to lower carbon public transport systems.
   
• China's commitment for carbon emission reductions have provoked the direction of significant investment in electric public transport, trolley buses included. The State Council of China has directed mandating that at least 30% of new procurement must be zero emission for any procurement category. This policy framework supports the adoption of trolley buses as part of China's broader strategy to enhance sustainable urban mobility.
   

Predictions suggest that from 2025-2034, the Germany trolley bus market will grow tremendously.
 

• The market in Germany is driven primarily by regulatory action and de-carbonization targets for public transport. At both the national and EU level, existing regulations, such as the Clean Vehicles Directive (2019/1161) clearly state that there is a necessity of increasing the share of clean vehicles in the procurement of new public transport. Not only is that legislation driving commitment to trolley buses but federal and local funding for electric mobility is appealing to cities who seek clean solutions while continuing to offer an efficient and reliable service.
   
• Local economies are also benefitting, by creating jobs in green industries; additionally, trolley-bus vehicles are sourced in partnership with leading European manufacturers, such as Solaris, who continues to grow its footprint in Germany and has a rich portfolio of low-emission vehicles.
   
• Transport operators in Germany are responding to these opportunities and innovations, such as battery-augmented trolley buses reduce reliance on continuous overhead wiring, lowering the investment in infrastructure and increasing route flexibility.
   
• Moreover, the overarching goal of achieving a reduction to carbon emissions has led to large sums of investment in electric, trolley bus, and public transportation options. Alongside the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act of 2020 requiring that, from 2021 to 2025, 45% of buses procured by public authorities must be clean vehicles (rising to 65% from 2026), and the wider commitment to the clean transition from the existing bus fleet to clean vehicles.
   

The trolley bus market in Brazil will experience prosperous growth during the prediction period from 2025 to 2034 in European region.
 

• In Brazil, the trolley bus sector is taking off being part of a broader effort to modernize public transport and encourage an economy with carbon-neutral goals. Urban mobility is a major issue in the largest cities of Brazil with inadequate physical infrastructure as populations grow and public transit improvements lag behind. Recently, the federal government started a new Ecological Transition Plan, and the New Industry Brazil Program to provide electric and sustainable solutions, providing funding and incentives for electrification.
   
• Brazil is making strategic investments to modernize its public transportation infrastructure ensuring sustainability to a new economy. The federal government pushed goals for electric and sustainable transport development by investing 60 billion USD by 2026 into both programs of the Ecological Transition plan and the New Industry Brazil Plan. Therefore, it is anticipated that these programs will promote increased trolley bus implementation especially in urban centers looking to reduce carbon footprint and improve air quality.
   

Trolley Bus Market Share

• The top companies in the market are Iveco Group, Yutong Bus, Škoda, Solaris Bus & Coach, Zhongtong Bus, SOR Libchavy, and Bozankaya. These companies hold around 40% of the market share in 2024.
   
• Iveco Group is a leading European trolley bus player, with a strong market share in 2024. The company is a leader in the energy transition, with a view towards developing electric and sustainable public transport solutions.
   
• Yutong Bus, the leader in China according to the China Bus Statistics Information Network. Yutong sold 47,000 buses with 14,000 units exported in 2024. The company has remarkable presence in the trolley bus sector and can be found in many countries including Mexico where they had one of the largest market shares by supplying significant number of dual powered trolley buses.
   
• Škoda has established itself as a significant actor in the European market.  In January 2025, Škoda and other companies had an opening for new contracts including new tenders and a recent accepted tender to supply up to 70 trolley buses in Tallinn, Estonia. Companies like Škoda have shaped the market into what it is today by ensuring innovative designs and by providing vehicles on demand for a fixed period of time during scheduled operations.
   
• Solaris Bus & Coach is a Poland manufacturer that is known for their dedication to zero-emissions for public transportation. The company sold a total of 1,525 vehicles in 2024, with electric buses, hydrogen buses, trolley buses, and hybrid vehicles making 83% of the company’s sales structure.
   

Trolley Bus Market Companies

Major players operating in the trolley bus industry include:

• Bogdan
• Bozankaya
• Etalon
• Iveco Group
• MINSK AUTOMOBILE PLANT
• Škoda
• Solaris Bus & Coach
• SOR Libchavy
• Yutong Bus
• Zhongtong Bus
   

Key participants in the market are actively pursuing partnership, joint, merger, acquisition or other types of strategic movements, in addition to investing development of products, to promote enhanced source use and product research and development (R&D). These strategic actions allow firms to incorporate advanced technology, automation solutions, and mechanized hydraulic solutions tailored to evolving needs. Strategic partnerships with significant industry players enable producers to expand their geographic presence, establish secure supply chains, and hasten the introduction of new trolley buses.
 

Major global players are utilizing R&D resources to promote cost efficiencies in their product development, with a view to quickly meeting aspects of market specific requirements and adapting to technological evolutions. This variety not only provides support when engaging in new growing markets, but it ensures that each trolley bus is able to operate in compliance with increasing safety, environmental and operational regulations throughout different tax environments.
 

Truck Mounted Knuckle Boom Cranes Industry News

• In March 2025, Bozankaya, one of the primary trolley bus producers in Turkey, selected FORSEE PULSE 15, a high-power battery system produced by Forsee Power, to be installed on the trolley buses it is building for the city of Prague in the Czech Republic. Bozankaya had just been awarded a tender to supply up to 70 trolley buses for the city of Prague.
   
• In December 2024, the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) delivered 39 new MAZ 303T trolley buses to Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan in Russia. This delivery is part of a plan to modernize its public transport fleet, and in this case these are third generation trolley buses; after combining this delivery with others in 2023, Kazan presently operates 64 MAZ 303T units.
   
• In September 2023, Caio Induscar, a bus manufacturer from Brazil, delivered 50 new electric buses to São Paulo's mass transit system. While these buses are electric, not traditional trolley buses, it shows Brazil's sizeable transition in the direction of electrified (battery electric and trolley bus) systems, along with cable bus systems.
   
• In November 2023, Prague Transport Company and Škoda Group, working with Solaris, unveiled the longest trolley bus in the Czech Republic, the Škoda-Solaris 24m. This is a double-articulated, just-under 25-meter-long trolley bus designed to run both with wired overhead lines as well as using on-board batteries.
   

The trolley bus market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) and volume (Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Product

• Electric trolley bus
• Hybrid/Battery trolley bus

Market, By Length

• Up to 10 meters
• 10-12 meters
• More than 12 meters

Market, By Seating Capacity

• Less than 50 seats
• 50-100 seats
• Above 100 seats

Market, By Application

• Public transport
• Tourism
• Airport shuttle
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Ukraine
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Chile 
• MEA
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE