Request ID: FOI-3709-2324 Date published: 15 February 2024
You asked
I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding safety incidents and concerns with electric buses operated by TfL.
Please provide the following information covering the time period from January 1, 2020 to the present, broken down by year (either calendar, or financial year, according to what’s on your records)
1. The number of fires that have occurred on electric buses operated by TfL or London bus operators, broken down by year. Please specify how many fires involved lithium-ion batteries.
2. Details of any incidents where electric buses suffered thermal runaway or overheating that did not result in fire, including the number of such near miss incidents per year.
3. The number of times electric buses had to be taken out of service due to safety concerns related to batteries or electrical systems. Please break this down by year.
4. Any risk assessments, safety reports, or other documentation detailing concerns about the fire safety or thermal hazards associated with the lithium-ion batteries used on your electric bus fleet.
5. Information about any changes made or being considered to electric bus operation, charging procedures, battery technology, or fire safety systems as a result of fires, thermal events, or safety concerns with existing electric buses.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-3709-2324
Thank you for your request received on 19 January 2024 asking for information about electric buses.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require.
Our fleet of around 9,000 buses operating across London meet or exceed Euro VI emission standards, the same emissions standard as the Ultra Low Emission Zone. The fleet is made up of low and zero-emission buses, including electric, hydrogen, diesel and hybrid buses. Electric buses form a large part of our zero-emission fleet and operate across multiple routes in London. We are currently on track to transition to a fully zero emission bus fleet by 2034, a target which could be achieved by 2030 with continued Government investment. These buses contribute to improving air quality and are also much quieter, with lower vibration levels for a more comfortable experience.
The safety of staff and customers is always our top priority, and together with our bus operators, we will not hesitate to take further action if required to ensure the network remains safe. The investigations into the bus fire in Wimbledon and the bus fire in Putney are still in the early stages and there is currently no evidence to suggest that they are linked. The buses involved were made by different manufacturers and the circumstances for each were different. Other buses in the fleets remain in service, and London’s bus network remains safe to use.
You asked:
Please provide the following information covering the time period from January 1, 2020 to the present, broken down by year (either calendar, or financial year, according to what’s on your records)
1. The number of fires that have occurred on electric buses operated by TfL or London bus operators, broken down by year. Please specify how many fires involved lithium-ion batteries.
From 1 January 2020 we have had 5 fires involving electric buses: • 2021 – 1 Fire • 2022 – 1 Fire • 2023 – 1 Fire • 2024 – 2 Fires
There is one confirmed case, in 2022, where the fire involved lithium-ion batteries
2. Details of any incidents where electric buses suffered thermal runaway or overheating that did not result in fire, including the number of such near miss incidents per year.
We can confirm that there have been no such incidents recorded in our systems.
3. The number of times electric buses had to be taken out of service due to safety concerns related to batteries or electrical systems. Please break this down by year.
In 2022, two bus operators took buses out of service in order to carry out inspections on their vehicles (approximately 30 vehicles each). These have all been returned to service. In 2024, 17 vehicles have been taken out of service as a precaution.
4. Any risk assessments, safety reports, or other documentation detailing concerns about the fire safety or thermal hazards associated with the lithium-ion batteries used on your electric bus fleet.
The electric buses are purchased, owned and operated by private bus companies. We do not hold vehicle specific risk assessment or safety reports, responsibility sits with the bus operator, vehicle original equipment manufacturer, and the Vehicle Certification Agency.
5. Information about any changes made or being considered to electric bus operation, charging procedures, battery technology, or fire safety systems as a result of fires, thermal events, or safety concerns with existing electric buses.
We regularly engage with bus operators, manufacturers, suppliers and the London Fire Brigade to address the risk posed by bus fires.
Our bus fire safety programme actively considers how to prevent and mitigate bus fires in London and includes:
• Learning from previous incidents to improve vehicle design to ensure it is as safe as possible • Working with subject matter experts to learn from international electric vehicle and hybrid bus fire incidents • Working with operators to ensure bus fire safety processes and procedures are in place and effective
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.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
