Busworld Europe 2025 has closed its doors after another record-breaking edition. This year’s show was bigger and better than ever, with more space, more exhibitors and an incredible atmosphere throughout the Brussels Expo halls.
A vibrant and growing exhibition
The 2025 edition hosted 559 exhibitors from 40 countries, including 81 bus manufacturers (compared to 66 in 2023) showcasing 209 vehicles inside and 29 outside; a total that would stretch over 3.5 kilometres if lined up. The exhibition covered 82,000 square metres with 6.8 kilometres of corridors. Also the visitor number increased, reaching a dazzling 45,427 from 101 countries. Exhibitors reported excellent business leads and strong interest from operators, engineers and decision-makers.
The feedback was clear: Busworld Europe 2025 has once again proven to be the most important global meeting place for the bus and coach industry.
Strong international media presence
The event attracted 405 accredited journalists, vloggers and photographers from 49 countries covering every aspect of passenger transport. Around 50 social media reporters and influencers were present, sharing impressions, interviews and live videos with audiences around the world.
In total, 34 press conferences were held, alongside 23 vehicle unveilings and innovation premieres, a clear proof of Busworld’s position as the launchpad for the industry’s most exciting developments.
Inspiring congress sessions
The Busworld Europe 2025 Congress brought together 1242 industry leaders, experts and policymakers. The four-day programme featured discussions on zero-emission technology, digitalisation, safety, socio-economics and the future of long-distance coach travel. Attendance numbers were that strong, mainly due to the partnership with the European Commission and the collaboration with the main European associations in people’s mobility, showing the industry’s eagerness to share knowledge and look ahead together.
Three key takeaways stood out from the Congress:
- By 2030 more than 60% of urban buses in Europe will be battery electric, showing that the transition to zero-emission mobility is well underway.
- Defining zero emission based on carbon neutrality rather than just tailpipe emissions could accelerate the decarbonization of long-haul transport activities.
- The seamless exchange of vehicle-generated data will be crucial for building safe and comfortable multi-modal mobility systems in the future.
Celebrating excellence: Busworld Vehicle Awards
The Busworld Vehicle Awards once again recognized outstanding achievement in bus and coach manufacturing. A jury of around 30 international experts, divided into 12 specialist working groups, evaluated every aspect of vehicle performance — from design and safety to digital systems and sustainability. This holistic approach reflects Busworld’s commitment to promoting technological excellence and innovation across the industry.
Two Grand Awards were presented: Grand Award Bus for the Yutong Bus U15 and Grand Award Coach for the Yutong Bus T14E.
In addition, Labels of Excellence were awarded to vehicles excelling in Safety, Comfort and Ecology:
- Safety Coach: Setra S 515 HD
- Ecology Coach: Otokar e-Territo 13 and Yutong IC12E
- Comfort Coach: Setra S 515 HD
- Safety Bus: Yutong Bus U15
- Comfort Bus: Mercedes-Benz eCitaro
- Ecology Bus: Yutong Bus U15
More information can be found in this link.
Busworld also granted the first Vehicle Design Awards
The Design Jury evaluated the exterior and interior design and ergonomics of all buses and coaches displayed at Busworld Europe 2025, including those not competing in the main Vehicle Awards.
After thorough evaluation, the design jury announced the following results:
Winners are Design Coach: VDL Bus & Coach – Futura 3 and Design Bus: Yutong Bus U15.
Runners-up in coach are: 1st Runner-up: Yutong T14E and 2nd Runner-up: King Long Merry Combo.
Runners-up in bus are: 1st Runner-up: Mercedes-Benz eCitaro and 2nd Runner-up: BYD B13.B.
Honourable Mentions were given to UNVI C26 - a concept vehicle that truly stood out in the exhibition halls, but as it is not yet a production model, it could not be awarded the Design Award for Bus - and Autonomous Systems - among the autonomous vehicles present, this model made the strongest design impression thanks to its sleek and clean lines.
Starting from Busworld 2027, autonomous vehicles might become a dedicated vehicle design award category.
More information can be found in this link.
Recognising innovation: results of the Innovation Voting
Innovation was another major highlight of Busworld Europe 2025. The Innovation Voting allowed visitors to play the role of jury, evaluating the products and technologies that had been pre-selected by the Busworld Awards Jury as part of the official shortlist.
The following products were voted by visitors as truly innovative during Busworld Europe 2025:
- A&K Fahrzeugteile Heidenau – Omnibus Classic Parts Program
- ACTIA – PowerDrive Cortex
- Altertek – Hybrid & Full Electric ESS Regeneration
- Altertek – Bus ESS Re-Cell Service
- AutonomyNow – ADAS Streamlined
- Butterfly Flexible Seating Solutions – Motorcoach Convertible Sleeper Seat
- CitySwift – CitySwift Headway Simulations
- Erwin A. Lang – FUENF-E by Lang
- Imagry – Imagry Autonomous Buses
- Jaakko-Tuote Oy – JTPrivacy Glass
- K2 Mobility – PANION – Integrated Charging Management
- Konvekta – NeXwork – Intelligent Climate Network for Electric Buses
- MyBusDirect – Industry 4.0 Starts with Employee Transportation
- Protecfire – Detexline 4V
- Robert Bosch – Fuel cell power modules compact 100 and compact 190
- Saint-Gobain Sekurit Transport – Amplisky® OMBRA/PERLA
- Spheros Germany - REVO®-E R290
- UNVI – UNVI C26
- Veldo Teknoloji – KONTROLBURDA
- Wuxi Hongyu Auto-Parts Manufacturing - Ray Tracing Roof
- Yutong Bus – Yutong Immersive Surround Sound
- Yutong Bus – NFC Digital Key Application
- ZF – ZF e-comp Scroll electric air compressor
- Zhengzhou Senpeng Electronics Technology – Senptec Electric Digital Driver’s Workplace (DWP)
More information about these innovations can be found in this link.
Mieke Glorieux, Managing Director of Busworld Europe concluded:
“After months of preparation, the moment the doors open is always special. A feeling shared by every stand manager and communication team. The positive energy during the show is incredible, and when the bus horns echo on the final day at 18:00, it’s hard to say goodbye. A big thank you from the whole team to all exhibitors, visitors and supporters — you drive us!”
Looking ahead to 2027
With this successful edition now behind us, preparations for the next one are already underway. Busworld Europe 2027 will return to Brussels from 16 to 21 October 2027, once again bringing together the global bus and coach community.
