Busworld Brussels – a biennial gathering of the industry’s most forward-looking manufacturers, operators, and innovators – is much more than a showcase of vehicles.
It is a clear signal: Europe’s electric bus and truck ecosystem is entering a phase of full acceleration. At SR2 Clean Energy, our role is to make sure that as the hardware scales, the human infrastructure keeps pace.
We’re breaking down the state of the market, the talent challenges we’re hearing from partners, and how SR2 is uniquely positioned to deliver recruitment solutions in this space.
Europe’s Electric Bus Momentum: Data-Driven Signals
The shift toward zero-emission city transport is systemic.
- In 2024, 7,779 electric buses were registered across Europe, marking a 22% year-over-year growth.
- Nearly 49% of new city buses in the EU sold in 2024 were zero-emission (46% battery-electric, 3% fuel-cell).
- The European Commission has proposed that all new city buses be zero-emission by 2030, accompanied by increasingly strict CO₂ reduction requirements for heavy-duty vehicles (e.g. 45% reduction by 2030, 65% by 2035).
- Globally, the electric bus market is projected to grow at a CAGR of ~14 % from 2025 to 2032, reaching an estimated USD 59.6 billion.
These figures underscore two critical points:
- Demand for zero-emission fleets is rising rapidly
- The regulatory and market pressure is compounding the need for speed and precision in deployment.
Talent as the Bottleneck
As manufacturers and operators scale their electric and hydrogen fleets, they face the same recurring challenge: finding the right people.
Across our market conversations, three gaps stand out:
1. Advanced Engineering & Field Service
- Certified specialists in high-voltage and hydrogen systems, able to diagnose and maintain advanced powertrains.
- Mobile service engineers who can support fleets on the move, not just in depots.
- Depot-based technicians with the breadth to manage daily maintenance across mixed electric, battery, and hybrid systems.
2. Commercial, Tendering & Compliance
- Professionals fluent in procurement, bus tenders, and regulatory frameworks, bridging communication between operators, municipalities, and OEMs.
- Experts in homologation and the regulatory transition from diesel to zero-emission fleets – a niche but critical capability.
3. Multiregional Expertise
- Organisations increasingly operate across Germany, Benelux, the Nordics, Poland, Spain, and France.
Candidates who understand cross-border regulation, language, and certification landscapes remain in short supply.
From SR2’s vantage, these demand patterns repeat across campaigns.
They allow us to anticipate what “success” looks like for clients. Not just filling roles, but placing candidates who can operate at the intersection of technology, regulation, and market dynamics.
Why SR2 Clean Energy Is Different
SR2’s differentiation lies in focus, reach, and understanding.
- Dedicated specialisation – Unlike generalist automotive recruiters, we focus exclusively on the EV ecosystem. That focus gives us deeper insights into what works, what fails, and where the margins matter.
- European reach with local insight – We recruit across major hubs – Germany, Benelux, the Nordics, Poland, and beyond – adapting to local regulations and culture.
- Consultative and mission-aligned approach – We don’t just fill seats; we partner with clients to understand long-term fleet strategies, regulatory trajectories, and sustainability ambitions.
- Proven placement credibility – Our client partners appreciate having a recruitment partner who speaks their language and delivers performance, not generic pipelines.
Don’t Just Take Our Word for it…
“We needed support in headhunting 2 extremely specific sales positions. SR2’s deep market knowledge within the Bus & Truck sector in Germany make the process extremely efficient!”
“On an engineering recruitment campaign, SR2 became a trusted extension of our hiring team – supplying candidates who matched high standards across technical certifications and cross-border mobility.”
If your organisation is navigating fleet transition – whether as an OEM, operator, or integrator – and you require recruitment support with deep domain specialization, SR2 Clean Energy is ready to partner.
Reach out to Ryan Baggs to explore how we can align talent strategy with your roadmap.
