Transport for London has announced that there are now more than 2,000 zero emission buses operating on routes in the capital.
The news means that two in every nine buses are now zero emission, which is around 20% of the fleet. In 2016, the number was only 30 buses.
TfL’s target is to make its entire bus fleet zero-emission by 2030, reducing toxic air pollution, and fulfilling the climate emergency. Making buses zero-emission would save an estimated five million tonnes of carbon over the next two decades.
London now has lower CO2 emissions per passenger kilometres than other global cities, including New York, and since 2021 all new vehicles are zero emission.
In addition, all of TfL’s other buses meet or exceed Euro VI emission standards, the same emissions standard as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Across the past two years, TfL’s £12bn spend with more than 3,000 UK suppliers across multiple industries has driven activity in new and emerging sectors, with 30% of TfL suppliers operating in low carbon industries and 10% of TfL’s supply chain in technology and data businesses.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“It’s fantastic London is leading the charge with more than 2,000 zero-emission buses in the capital, the largest zero-emission bus fleet in Western Europe.
“I will continue to do everything I can to ensure buses remain the most accessible, affordable and sustainable form of transport as we continue to build a greener, fairer London for everyone.”
Lorna Murphy, TfL’s Director of Buses, said:
“With more than 2,000 zero-emission buses on London’s roads and the addition of more fully electric routes like the 337, we are on a mission to transition to a fully zero-emission bus fleet, and continue to have the largest zero-emission bus fleet in Western Europe.
“Our investment in our operators and supply chain partners ensures continuous market growth and security, while supporting the national economy through the green and manufacturing jobs. Decarbonising the public transport network is essential to the Mayor’s mission for London to achieve net zero carbon by 2030.”
David Cutts, Managing Director of Transport UK London Bus, said:
“Having more than 2,000 zero-emission buses in London’s fleet is a momentous milestone and I am delighted that the Mayor commemorated it by visiting south-west London. Working with Transport for London and our supply chain, Transport UK are showcasing world-class public transport, in the process improving air quality and helping to secure UK-based employment.
“As a result of this partnership, all six of our garages run zero-emission services and with sustained investment over the next few years, we will collectively achieve decarbonisation of the entire red bus network.”
Jean-Marc Gales, Wrightbus CEO, said:
“We’re also pleased to announce our exclusive five-year partnership with Transport UK, which will see its fleet bolstered by 75 additional Wrightbus zero-emission vehicles in 2025 alone. Every Wrightbus in service on the streets of London thanks to this partnership helps to support good, green skilled jobs and the wider manufacturing sector across the UK.”
Marsha de Cordova, MP for Battersea, said:
“Londoners want to be able to travel on affordable buses that are mindful of the environment, cutting emissions, improving health and providing clean, green jobs at the same time.
“As London’s 2000th zero-emissions bus, the new and improved 337 will play a key role in helping us get there.”
Simon Hogg, Leader of Wandsworth Council, said:
“Improving air quality is a key priority in helping our residents to live healthier and safer lives so it’s great that TfL chose Wandsworth to celebrate this historic milestone.
“Wandsworth is charging towards its goal of becoming a Carbon Neutral Council by 2030 and a Net Zero Borough by 2043, and the addition of more zero-emission buses helps create a better, greener transport network for us all.”
Leonie Cooper, London Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth and London Assembly Labour Group Environment Spokesperson, said:
“In 2015, I encouraged the Mayor to journey from Putney across London, wearing a device to monitor air quality. Three years later, he returned to Putney High Street, where we launched the first of London’s Emission Bus Zones.
“We’ve made great progress on air quality since then and as a result, children have healthier lungs and adults are at less risk of dementia.
“It’s a vital step in cleaning our air and creating healthier communities.”
Anna Krajinska, UK Director at T&E UK, Europe’s leading advocates for clean transport and energy, said:
”Investment in greener buses isn’t just a win for the climate – it’s a blueprint for green growth. TfL’s zero-emission bus fleet is a great example of smart climate action that secures jobs and strengthens the UK’s clean tech supply chain.”
Rob Anderson, Research Director at Centre for London, said:
“Decarbonising London is an urgent priority as we approach a critical moment in global environmental policy, and it is welcome that the Mayor and Transport for London are leading the transformation.
“Data from our survey partnership with Savanta has found that two thirds of Londoners consider it important to them that London achieves net zero by 2030, with more than half of Londoners feeling personally impacted by climate change.
“With more than a fifth of the capital’s red buses now zero-emission, it sets a standard for other global cities in the importance of promoting sustainable travel to support economic growth, resident wellbeing, and the connectivity of a thriving capital.”
Image courtesy of TfL
