London to receive 20 new hydrogen buses

London is set to receive 20 new hydrogen double-decker buses. 

The buses will be the first of their kind in England and will produce no air pollution from their exhausts.

The only by-product is water from the chemical reaction of hydrogen with oxygen from the air, a process that produces the electricity needed to power the bus.

The hydrogen from the buses is a by-product of an industrial chlor-alkali plant, but according to the Mayor, from 2023, the hydrogen will be even greener and will be produced by electrolysis powered by an offshore windfarm.

The buses will be initially be introduced on route 7 between East Acton and Oxford Circus.

The buses were manufactured by Wrightbus in Northern Ireland and the gas cylinders were manufactured by Luxfer in Nottingham.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London will today visit the Perivale bus depot in Ealing to see the new buses and refuelling stations.

Sadiq Khan, said: ‘We have made real progress in London to clean up our air, but we still have a long way to go because toxic air pollution in our city is still leading to thousands of premature deaths every year and is stunting the growth of children’s lungs. As part of our world-leading ongoing efforts, I’m proud to announce England’s first hydrogen double-decker buses, which don’t produce any harmful emissions, will now be put into service.

‘Our investment in these hydrogen buses is not only helping us to clean up London’s air but is supporting jobs and local economics across the UK. This is a great demonstration of how tackling air pollution and the climate crisis and boosting economic growth is about regions working together, investing in the very latest technology.’

‘I’ve worked hard to ensure TfL’s entire core bus fleet across London now meets the ULEZ standards, and this includes 500 electric buses. Our new investment in hydrogen buses will move us even closer to our ambition of making all London buses zero-emission by 2030.’