Electric future for London double deckers

During the Clean Bus Summit in London it was announced that the first electric double decker bus, designed and built by BYD, will enter service in the city in October. The aim is to reduce the air pollution levels in the capital.

Until recently, the battery technology has rendered electric double-deckers unfeasible due to their weight and price. The recent developments in the field are believed to be “transformational” for air quality. This development is sorely needed considering that some of the major bus arteries of London have some of the highest nitrogen dioxide pollution in the world. Use of these new doubledeckers is also in tune with the ultra-low emission zone that is implemented in 2020.

As mentioned by Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, London is a fitting venue for this trailblazing effort as electric buses have roamed the streets of the city as early as 1909 before the London Electrobus company went defunct.

Besides London, 23 cities in total pledged, during the Clean Bus Summit, to roll out 40 000 low emission buses by the end of the decade. BYD has already supplied 3500 of its ebus models around the world and has orders for further 4000. Due to the advanced battery, most bus routes can be serviced on single charge per day. Additionally the operating costs of these ebuses are lower than the equivalent diesel vehicles thus giving even more incentives for more authorities and companies to make the switch towards more sustainable future.

BYD

Clean Bus Summit