Mr Lightwood said: “Great to officially open Wrightbus's New Power facility and see how they're breathing a clean new life into old diesel buses, helping us meet our climate goals.

"We are committed to supporting decarbonisation, with our incoming Bus Services Bill including a measure to bring an end to the use of new diesel or petrol buses on most English bus routes from no earlier than 2030."

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill has previously expanded on the new rule, stressing rules will not come into place any easier than the start of the next decade. 

He said: “The restriction on the use of new non-zero emission buses will not take effect any earlier than 1 January 2030, but the clause places a restriction on the use only of new buses.

Lord Hendy added: “I myself have heard some misapprehension about what this actually means. 

“It is about new vehicles, and the flexibility to determine when to replace diesel buses with new electric buses will remain, because if the date were to be 1 January 2030, all vehicles in service on 31 December 2029 would be able to carry on in service.”

Wrightbus has confirmed plans to create 50 extra jobs converting diesel vehicles into models fitted with electric powertrains.

Zero-emission buses manufactured at Wrightbus may have prevented more than 80,000 tonnes of CO2 so far.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Wrightbus commented: “Repowering diesels gives them a 10-year second life and is a hugely affordable solution to operators.

"We believe the Department for Transport should ensure Mayors and councils have the full range of UK-made technologies available to speed up their delivery of decarbonisation and improved air quality commitments."