More than 3,000 of London’s iconic buses are now running with zero emissions, representing a 100-fold increase over the past decade.
Transport for London (TfL), the transport authority for England’s capital, is this week celebrating the launch of its 3,000th zero emission bus, cementing itself as Western Europe’s largest zero-emission bus fleet.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced in September 2021 that all new TfL buses would henceforth be zero-emission, part of a long-term commitment to deliver a 100 per cent zero-emission bus fleet for the city by 2034.
The 3,000 zero-emission buses – including the 3,000th, which has been specially wrapped to commemorate the milestone – operate across over 200 bus routes, including 135 routes which are fully zero-emission.
“I’m proud that London is leading the charge in sustainable transport with 3,000 of our iconic red buses now going green – which is a hundred times more than when I took office in 2016, and one of the largest zero-emission bus fleets in Europe,” said Sadiq Khan.
“I remain committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that buses remain the most accessible, affordable and sustainable form of transport in the capital as we continue building a greener, fairer, better London for everyone.”
TfL doesn’t provide a specific breakdown of what types of buses make up the zero-emission fleet, though the organisations press release suggests that the lion share of them are battery electric, and that TfL is only trialling hydrogen buses on the network, as well as “tram-like buses” that are powered by pantograph.
Operating the 3,000 zero-emission buses saves around 100,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year compared to an equivalent fossil fuel-based fleet, equivalent to 118,900 flights between London and New York City.
“This is more than a milestone; it is real visible change – cleaner journeys for Londoners every day,” said Lorna Murphy, director of buses at TfL.
“With a third of London’s fleet of iconic buses are now zero-emission, it is even easier for customers to travel around the city in a sustainable, affordable and accessible way.”
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