Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone has the addition of ten new hydrogen powered buses to London’s fleet.
The hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles, which are due to enter service in 2010, produce no pollution or carbon dioxide and will help improve the capital’s air quality.
The buses will be manufactured by the American company ISE. TfL desccribe the contract as “one of the world’s first commercial contracts for hydrogen buses.” The five hydrogen fuel cell buses and five hydrogen internal combustion engine buses will be operated by First on behalf of Transport for London.
Ken Livingstone, said: “Hydrogen is a fuel of the future as it improves air quality and does not produce the harmful emissions which are causing catastrophic climate change. These ten new hydrogen vehicles will be clean and efficient, providing a smoother, quieter ride for passengers.”
“London is now the first city in Europe to commit to a hydrogen bus fleet of this size, which will match traditional diesel buses in terms of performance. This represents a huge step forward from the previous hydrogen trials in the capital and is an important step towards my target of having five per cent of all public sector fleet vehicles powered by hydrogen by 2015.”
The contract signed with ISE is worth £9.65 million and includes maintenance and replacement parts over a five year period after delivery and has been backed by central Government.
Malcolm Wicks, Minister of State for Energy described the contract as “a very exciting development and a serious step towards the long-term aim of reducing emissions from road transport.”
The Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform has provided a grant of £2.6 million towards Transport for London’s hydrogen bus programme.
