London Mayor Sadiq Khan, has ordered a 10-fold increase in zero-emission double decker buses, as part of a new plan to add 68 fully-electric buses to the fleet in the next year.
Transport for London successfully trialled five fully-electric double-deck buses on in 2016, in a bid to tackle air pollution across the capital. The new buses emit zero-NOx from the tailpipe, meaning that there is a lower impact on urban air quality through their use.
“In London we’re helping to lead the way with my Ultra-Low Emission Zone, and I’m delighted to be able to announce a Europe-leading new fleet of electric double-decker buses too,” Khan said.
“We’re doing all we can to improve our air quality and we need the government to match our ambition to solve this national health crisis.”
By 2019, TfL hopes to have 240 electric buses running on the network and that all-new double-decker models would be zero emission or hybrid.
The new buses are being manufactured by both a Chinese/British partnership between BYD and Alexander Dennis Limited and British company Optare and have a range of up to 190 miles on one charge.
“We’re committed to reducing emissions from London’s buses and making routes 43 and 134 exclusively electric is an important step to a zero-emission fleet,” TfL’s director of bus operations Claire Mann said.
“Buses are crucial to reduce Londoners’ reliance on cars, and with this landmark order it means the largest pure electric double-deck bus fleet in Europe will help reduce emissions across the capital.”
Ultimately, by 2037 all buses in London will be zero-emission, City Hall has said.
