Monday 15 June 2020

TfL bus operator launches its first electric bus fleet to improve London’s air quality

TfL customers and London's air quality will soon benefit from a new electric bus fleet.

The bus and rail operator Abellio has launched its first fleet of electric buses in the city, on one of two routes in the capital.

The first five buses have been already on service in areas across South London and are part of a project, which will bring a total of 34 electric buses in the streets.

A charging system at the depot and a software platform which helps optimise energy use for the new buses will be developed by the battery storage operator, Zenobe Energy.

Tony Wilson, Managing Director at Abellio London Bus, said: "The battery storage solution at our depot helps us ensure we can deliver reliable services, while also improving air quality for local people every day."

Steven Meersman, Co-Founder of Zenobe Energy, said: "We are very pleased to support Abellio on their journey to net zero and delighted to contribute to the deployment of zero-emission vehicles in London."

This is the first electric vehicle (EV) financing project in the city for Zenobe since the company announced its £120 million partnership funding in May 2019, to facilitate the electrification of transport fleets and the potential to double the number of EVs on UK roads.