Pantograph Bus Charger Market Size and Growth Analysis 2034

Pantograph Bus Charger Market Size and Competitive Landscape

The pantograph bus charger market is forecasted to expand from USD 5.00 billion in 2025 to USD 18.95 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 15.95% from 2025 to 2034.

Unlock Infinite Advantages: Subscribe to Annual Membership

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the transport pantograph charger market in the first half of 2020, as lockdowns and restrictions led to reduced demand from transportation and related sectors. Additionally, delays in electric transport projects and disruptions in the supply chain exacerbated the situation in the market. However, the majority of automakers and EV charging providers resumed pantograph charger production with limited capacity and necessary precautions. Sales of electric buses witnessed significant growth since the latter half of 2020 and are expected to continue during the forecast period, driving the market focus.

Over the medium term, the demand for pantograph chargers is expected to increase due to the growing adoption of electric buses, not only for public transportation but also for school transportation across major countries worldwide. Moreover, increasing government initiatives and their focus on enhancing charging infrastructure are anticipated to drive demand in the market during the forecast period. Additionally, a new development in the charging station market by companies is also expected to support growth.

For example,

• In October 2021, Custom Denning, one of Australia's leading bus manufacturers, selected Siemens to supply its Sicharge UC management solution and charging stations. The technology, currently being tested, will support the manufacturer's upcoming electric buses. It can operate at up to 1,000 volts and has a power range of 50 to 600 kW.

Furthermore, investments from key players and growing strategic collaborations between charging solution providers and bus manufacturers are expected to provide new opportunities for players operating in the market. There is a surge in the adoption of electric bus charging systems due to the decreasing cost of batteries. The increasing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, along with the emergence of favorable government regulations, are likely to enhance the growth of the market over the forecast period.

For example,

• In June 2022, the Pacific Economic Development Office of Canada, in collaboration with British Columbia's Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, announced a USD 31.2 million investment plan under their joint government funding for improving public transportation services in British Columbia. The upgrade includes the construction of new transit exchanges as well as the electrification of the bus fleet.

The North American region is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period due to the rising adoption of electric buses across major countries in the region. Moreover, China and India are expected to contribute to growth in the Asia-Pacific region due to strong support from governments, transit agencies, and other green vehicle-supporting communities and organizations.

• In March 2021, the Delhi government approved a proposal to purchase 300 new low-floor electric (AC) buses to expand the city's bus fleet. These buses have been procured by the Delhi Transport Corporation. The first batch of 118 buses was scheduled to arrive in October 2021, with another 100 following in November. The entire delivery was expected to be completed by January 2022.

Pantograph Bus Charger Market Trends

Rising Emphasis of Government on Eco-Friendly Buses

Diesel buses remain a staple in urban transportation globally, especially in densely populated areas where air quality concerns persist. To address environmental challenges, governments around the world are enacting regulations and policies to promote eco-friendly transportation solutions.

In the United States, the EPA and NHTSA have proposed implementing the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) vehicles rule from 2021 to 2026. This rule seeks to establish guidelines for corporate average fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions across passenger and commercial vehicle segments. As part of this initiative, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are expected to introduce a specified standard of clean and zero-emission vehicles under the Zero-emission Vehicles (ZEV) Program, with the goal of deploying 12 million ZEVs, including buses, by 2030.

In India, the government aims to encourage 30% of total vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. This objective is supported by a USD 1.4 billion investment in phase two of the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) program through 2022. The focus of this phase is on electrifying public and shared transportation, with funding allocated for the procurement of 7,090 electric buses. These initiatives have spurred fleet operators to transition towards electric buses.

Moreover, the improvement of air quality through public transportation initiatives contributes to the overall sustainability of urban environments by reducing reliance on private vehicles for multiple trips. Recognizing these benefits, governments around the world are actively advocating for sustainable and efficient public transport solutions, thereby driving positive momentum in the market.

For Instance,

• In November 2022, Metroline, a leading London-based bus operator, announced the acquisition of 39 electric double-decker buses from Northern Irish manufacturer Wrightbius. These buses, equipped with charging capabilities of up to 300 kW via CCS or 420 kW via pantographs, are slated to operate across various London boroughs and Watford in Hertfordshire. Additionally, in March 2022, Cagliari, Italy witnessed the unveiling of an innovative electric bus concept by Rampini. The delivery of six 6-meter battery-electric buses equipped with pantographs has generated significant interest in the European market.

North America Likely to Have Fastest Growth in the Market

North America is poised to make a significant contribution to market growth in the coming years, with the United States expected to be a major driver of this growth. The government's various initiatives and the widespread adoption of electric buses across the country are anticipated to fuel demand for electric buses in the region. This increased demand is likely to be supported by governments, municipalities, and other entities.

For Instance,

• In June 2021, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) completed a $30 million contract to install 67 pantograph chargers at stations throughout the city to support the electric grid.
• In March 2021, public schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, approved a contract with Highland Electric Transport to replace their entire bus fleet with electric vehicles by 2025. The conversion of 326 school buses has already begun, with Highland Electric Transport and partners electrifying all five public school bus routes in Montgomery County and providing electric buses and charging infrastructure.

Furthermore, the Canadian government is committed to fostering a sustainable transportation industry in the country:

• In March 2021, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development announced funding of up to CAD 2.75 billion (approximately USD 2.02 billion) over five years, starting in 2021, to improve public transit and transition to clean energy. This includes financing for the purchase of zero-emission public transportation and school buses.

The positive growth trajectory in North America is driving the adoption of pantographs by key players involved in electric bus projects. This trend is expected to further increase demand for bus pantograph chargers in the forecast period.

For example:

• In March 2022, ABB announced the introduction of a new electric bus service in St. Louis, the largest shipping hub in the United States. ABB's sequential charging system includes 20 plug-in station chargers with a power of 150 kW and three additional pantograph chargers.

Considering these developments and examples, North America is predicted to experience the fastest growth compared to its counterparts during the forecast period.

Major players in the electric bus industry have employed strategies like launching new products, forming joint ventures, making acquisitions, and entering partnerships to effectively manage their businesses. Additionally, governments worldwide have supported economic development in this sector.

For Instance,

• In June 2022, the Canada Infrastructure Bank entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Regional Municipality of Durham, investing $53.1 million to assist Durham Regional Transit in procuring 100 electric buses, slated for operation by 2027. This investment aligns with the region's climate change commitments and underscores the importance of transitioning public buses to electric power.

Similarly, in December 2021, the Berlin Transport Authority (BVG) board approved the purchase of an additional 90 electric buses, to be charged at stations. This decision reflects the increasing demand for pantograph charging systems nationwide and presents growth opportunities for entrepreneurs.

The development of electric buses is expected to drive up the demand for charging stations. Moreover, it has strengthened commercial activities through agreements with bus pantograph charging companies, major vehicle manufacturers, and charging stations.

For Instance,

• In December 2022, Solaris Bus & Coach Sp. z o.o. has won a contract to provide 35 Solaris Urbino 12 electric buses to Latvian operator RÄ«gas Satiksme. The buses will include Solaris' eSConnect technology for battery capacity management and zero-emissions.

Pantograph Bus Charger Market Leaders

• ABB Ltd
• Schunk Transit Systems GmBH 
• Wabtech Corporation
• Siemens Mobility
• Vector Informatik GmbH
• SETEC Power
• SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG
• Valmont Industries, Inc.
• Comeca Group

Pantograph Bus Charger Market Recent Developments

• August 2022: British bus company First Bus placed an order for 193 electric buses from Northern Irish bus manufacturer Wrightbus, amounting to £81 million (approximately $96.4 million). Additionally, the company introduced 150 kW DC charging power initially, with an optional upgrade to 450 kW timed charging using a pantograph system.
• May 2022: The San Diego Metropolitan System commenced the construction of an $8.5 million upgraded electric bus charging system capable of simultaneously charging 24 electric buses. The charging infrastructure is designed to be expandable in the future to accommodate more charging capacity. Schunk SLS 301 Series pantographs will be installed to facilitate faster and safer charging of the electric buses.
• April 2022: The Barcelona Metropolitan Transport Board (TMB) announced a tender process for the purchase of up to 83 electric buses to replace expiring diesel buses by 2023. The tender is divided into three parts, including a bid for 45 units of 12-meter model cars with night loading pantographs, expandable to 63 units. Another bid section covers 20 articulated units (18 meters long) for night pantograph charging or other technologies.
• April 2022: The Board of Directors of the GrudziÄ…dz operator, Miejski ZakÅ‚ad Komunikacji, and Solaris Bus & Coach Sp. signed a supply contract for 17 electric buses, including charging equipment such as pantograph chargers. The buses and charging infrastructure are expected to be delivered to the city in the first quarter of 2023.
• November 2021: The Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development of Moscow, in collaboration with the National Research Center of e FSUE NAMI, initiated an experiment for installing new toll booths with bus pantographs in the office of public transport operators of the city of Mosgortrans. Two electric buses equipped with special connections adapted to the new payment system are currently undergoing testing, with plans for further evaluation by the end of 2022.

Pantograph Bus Charger Market Segmentation

Pantographs serve as a mechanism for establishing automatic contact between electric buses and charging stations, facilitating the charging process for battery electric vehicles. Currently, there are two primary methods for establishing this connection: the pantograph can be raised from the ceiling of the electric bus when payment is required, or it can be lowered from beneath the bus by mounting it on the payment platform.

The market for bus pantograph chargers is categorized based on the charging process, including Level 1, Level 2, and direct current charging (DCFC). Furthermore, segmentation is based on the type of equipment, encompassing both hardware and software components. Additionally, the electrical charging method is considered, which includes on-board top-down pantograph and on-board bottom-up pantograph configurations. Geographically, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the rest of the world.

The comprehensive report provides market size and forecasts for the bus pantograph charger market, measured in US dollars (USD) million, across all the aforementioned segments. This analysis aids businesses and stakeholders in understanding the current market landscape, identifying growth opportunities, and making informed decisions regarding investment and expansion strategies within the bus pantograph charger industry.

Market Segmentation

By Charging Type

• Level 1
• Level 2
• Direct Current Fast Charging

By Component Type

• Hardware
• Software

By Charging Infrastructure Type

• Off-board top-down pantograph
• On-Board Bottom-Up Pantograph

By Geography

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
  • Rest of North America
• Europe
  • Germany
  • United Kingdom
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • India
  • China
  • South Korea
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East and Africa
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East and Africa