Announcement made at Clean Bus Summit, where various parties committed to taking measures to reduce the capital cost of low emission technology
London’s first purpose-built purely electric double-decker bus, manufactured by BYD, will enter passenger service in London this year, Mayor Boris Johnson has confirmed.
Transport for London Managing Director, Surface Transport Leon Daniels hinted at the development earlier in the year (CBW, March 31, 2015).
The mayor was hosting representatives and major bus manufacturers from across the globe at City Hall for the first ever global Clean Bus Summit.
Bus manufacturers including BYD, Volvo, Wrightbus, Optare, EvoBus and Alexander Dennis attended the summit and committed to supporting cities in delivering fleets of new ultra-low emission buses. The World Bank and Green Investment Bank have also signed up.
The agreement aims to reduce capital costs for new technologies like electric and hydrogen buses. The commitment by more than 24 cities and 10 non-C40 supporting cities to introduce low emission buses into their fleets is intended to demonstrate the demand needed to boost supply and affordability.
The new trial will see an electric double-deck bus manufactured by BYD enter service on route 16 (Cricklewood – Victoria) from October.
The BBC reports up to five electric double-deckers will be trialled on the route.
Two BYD K9 single-deckers, which have been operating on former Red Arrow routes 507 and 521 since December 2013, will be joined by a pair of Irizar i2e buses later this month.
The capital’s first pure electric bus route, the 312 – which runs between Norwood and South Croydon – will be start later this year using Optare MetroCity EVs.
Boris said: “The iconic red double-decker bus is about to become greener than ever. I could not be more pleased that London will play host to these exciting pure electric double-deck buses, and I’m sure the lucky users of route 16 will embrace it with gusto.
“London is a world leader in clean buses but we can’t do it alone, and events like this Clean Bus Summit are key to making further progress.”
Sir Peter Hendy CBE, London’s Transport Commissioner who is leaving to head up Network Rail, said: “We have blazed the trail when it comes to green bus technology so it’s fitting that the first Clean Bus Summit should take place here in the capital.
“The introduction of new electric buses and further developments like induction charging at termini for hybrid bus batteries will significantly improve air quality and provide our passengers with quieter and smoother journeys later this year.”
Isbrand Ho, Managing Director of BYD Europe, added: “We are delighted to be chosen by London as its partner for the world debut of our new pure electric double decker.
“Since BYD is by far the world’s largest maker of zero emission pure electric buses and as such is keen to promote their take up and use as quickly as possible we are also pleased to have today supported the declaration and pledged BYD to helping promote zero – not just ultra low – emission vehicles on the streets of the world’s major cities.”
