Electric buses arrive in Thornton Heath after £4m investment

UK Power Networks, the country’s biggest electricity distributor, has invested £4 million in new power infrastructure, turning Arriva’s Thornton Heath bus fleet green.

The Whitehall Road bus depot in Thornton Heath, South London, will become home to 109 new Arriva electric buses following the installation of new electricity infrastructure, funded, fast-tracked and built through UK Power Networks’ Green Recovery Fund.

UK Power Networks installed 5km of high-voltage underground cabling and built new equipment at an electricity substation to enable the depot to convert to electric buses.

Adam Lakey, leading the Green Recovery projects for UK Power Networks, said: ‘This investment is a watershed for Thornton Heath bus garage, which can now electrify its bus fleet and usher in a new age of cleaner, greener electric public transport.

‘Our Green Recovery programme has delivered essential new power infrastructure to bus fleets, motorway service areas and rapid charging hubs to connect more electric vehicles and accelerate the country’s transition to net zero carbon emissions.’

Marcos Hart, managing director London at Arriva UK Bus said: ‘Arriva UK Bus is committed to decarbonising our London fleet, and the electrification of our Thornton Heath site builds on the millions of pounds we have already invested in creating the clean, electrified and efficient public transport networks that communities in the capital deserve.’

Nick Owen, director of buses at TfL, said: ‘London’s red buses are iconic and the fleet is one of the greenest in the world, with lower CO2 emissions per passenger kilometres compared to other global cities like New York, Paris and Vancouver. With more than 1,500 zero emission vehicles on London’s roads, our programme of decarbonising the capital’s buses is playing a crucial role in the journey to Net Zero. Zero emission buses help Londoners breathe cleaner air and reduce the impact of road transport on our environment.

‘Investment into the electricity network and securing power at all bus garages is vital to ensure the transition and operation of zero emission buses in London.

‘Their smooth, quiet journeys and innovative features aren’t just helping reduce the effects of climate change and improving air quality – they are also making our city better for everyone by offering a great alternative to the car when getting around town.’

UK Power Networks’ Green Recovery programme has delivered strategic investments in the electricity network that have supported the green economy and significantly reduced the cost of connecting new, green infrastructure.

The network operator worked with local communities, Government and Ofgem to identify projects where investment in electricity infrastructure could make tangible progress to connect more electric vehicles.

Picture by Nigel Bowles: Joshua Alderdice from UKPN with Neil O’Leary ZEV Development Manager Arriva UK Bus