TfL Ref: FOI-2300-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 11 January 2021.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:
As TFL are committed to making the entire Bus fleet 100% Zero Emission Electric and Hydrogen, I would like to make an FOI regarding the following:
Will newer Hybrid and Diesel buses be retrofitted to Zero Emission Electric standards?
Companies e.g Equipmake and Kleanbus are offering the retrofitting Diesel to Zero Emission programme. It states that it's a 1/5 cheaper than purchasing a new Electric vehicle outright. Could this be an option also bearing TFLs funding situation as a result.
TfL is aware of the multiple companies offering retrofit solutions to achieve zero-emission standards. We are currently not looking to retrofit vehicles to zero-emission as we have a target date for the entire fleet converting to zero-emission by 2034. By this date, through our tendering process, buses that may have been in the fleet for up to 14 years will naturally retire and leave as route contracts come to an end, and likely be replaced cost effectively with new zero-emission buses at the start of new contracts, and will be expected to operate in the fleet for anywhere up to 14 years in London.
While it states that retrofitting is cheaper than purchasing a new zero-emission bus, the entire life cost; including the retrofit and additional maintenance of the vehicle for future years and associated infrastructure needs to be considered. Therefore, until more real-world testing is undertaken for a significant period of time, it is not yet proven this solution will be cheaper. The benefits of prolonging an already ageing bus also needs to be taken into consideration. We will continue to keep abreast of this type of retrofitting and the cost-effectiveness and operability of the solution.
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Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
