I've got questions in regards to your electric bus plans. What are the upcoming routes to convert the fleet to zero emission battery electric buses? What EV bus types will be used for the upcoming routes? What are the cost to purchase the pure electric buses? Does TfL purchase and directly own the electric buses? Does TfL pay to have EV charging ports installed in bus garages? Does TfL plan to require bus companies to purchase double deck EV buses for their new route contracts? What are the future plans with the electric bus project?

---

Our ref: FOI-1781-1920

Thank you for your request received on 11 September 2019 asking for information about electric buses.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our Information Access Policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you requested. You asked:

What are the upcoming routes to convert the fleet to zero emission battery electric buses?

We are currently converting routes 43 and 134 to double deck electric buses – and all buses will be in service by the end of the year. These double decks are made by two manufacturers – Optare and a partnership with BYD/ADL. Next year, the following routes will be converted to electric: 94, 100, 106, 212, 230, 323, 357, 444, C10 and P5.

We do not select the buses, only the capacity, emissions and generic type. Bus operators will choose from the range of makes and models available that meets the requirement of the route they are bidding for, and buy or lease these, depending on their fleet management strategies.

What EV bus types will be used for the upcoming routes?

We expect the buses on upcoming electric routes to be a mix of manufacturers, including but not exclusive to BYD/ADL, Optare, and Caetano.

What are the cost to purchase the pure electric buses?

As vehicles are procured by bus operators, we do not have details of the unit costs. We do upload route contracts to the https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder website once these have been agreed and are no longer commercially sensitive, and these provide details of overall costs.

Does TfL purchase and directly own the electric buses?

Please see above.

Does TfL pay to have EV charging ports installed in bus garages?

The cost of the vehicles and infrastructure is incorporated into the contract price.

Does TfL plan to require bus companies to purchase double deck EV buses for their new route contracts?

Since 2018, we have only procured new hybrid or zero-emission double deck buses into the fleet. We specify the emissions standards on all bus routes. It is not mandatory for bus companies to purchase double deck EV buses for their new route contracts.

What are the future plans with the electric bus project?

We will be formulating an electrification strategy for bus operation in London from the end of 2019 onwards as we need a road map to get us from the current 200 vehicles to our ultimate objective of an entirely zero-emission bus fleet by 2037. The Mayor’s Transport Strategy details the current blueprint.

If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely,

Melissa Nichols

FOI Case Officer

General Counsel

Transport for London

 

Back to top

---