Mercedes Mullins
London's bus fleet consumes around 250 million litres of diesel a year, with the city's buses making up 5% of transport emissions. In recent years, there has been a push to reduce emissions by introducing hybrid and electric buses, which are more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. In 2013, the New Bus for London, a hybrid vehicle, was touted as the greenest double-decker in the world by the Mayor, with a fuel efficiency of 11.7 mpg in testing conditions, although real-world performance has been lower. Other low-emission buses in London have included hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses, ethanol-fuelled double-deckers, and battery-electric buses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel consumption by London buses per year | 250 million litres of diesel |
| Average fuel economy (mpg) of double-decker hybrid bus fleet | 6.74 |
| Average fuel economy (mpg) of Routemaster-inspired bus | 6.7 |
| Average fuel economy (mpg) of Routemaster with original engines | 6 |
| Average fuel economy (mpg) of Routemaster with refurnished, "Euro 2" engines | 7 |
| Average fuel economy (mpg) of New Bus at Millbrook testing centre | 11.7 |
| Percentage of London's CO2 emissions attributed to transport in 2006 | 20% |
| Percentage of transport emissions in London attributed to buses in 2006 | 5% |
| Reduction in emissions targeted by the city of London by 2020 | 20% |
| Projected reduction in CO2 emissions by converting London's bus fleet to hybrid vehicles | 200,000 tonnes per year |
| Percentage reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions by New Routemaster buses compared to diesel buses | 40% |
| Percentage reduction in particulate matter by New Routemaster buses compared to diesel buses | 33% |
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What You'll Learn
- The London Buses fleet consumes 250 million litres of diesel per year
- Hybrid electric buses produce 40% less CO2 than diesel buses
- Hydrogen fuel cell buses were introduced in 2004
- Routemaster buses with original engines get under 6 miles per gallon
- London's bus fleet emits 5% of the city's CO2 emissions
The London Buses fleet consumes 250 million litres of diesel per year
Transport for London (TfL) has provided figures on the fuel economy of its bus fleet. According to a Freedom of Information request, the London Buses fleet consumes around 250 million litres of diesel per year. This figure may vary across different operators as each operator has its own fuel procurement strategy.
The fuel economy of London's buses has been a topic of interest, with various sources providing different estimates. Testing centres often report higher miles per gallon (mpg) due to lab conditions. For example, the New Bus for London, a hybrid vehicle, was reported to achieve 11.7 mpg in testing but only 6.7 mpg on the road. Similarly, the Routemaster-inspired bus, which runs on diesel and electricity, achieved a fleet average of 6.74 mpg, with TfL noting that the data was not representative as the prototypes were heavier and only operated during the day.
London has been working to improve the fuel efficiency and emissions of its bus fleet. The introduction of hybrid and electric buses has been a key strategy. In 2006, transport was responsible for around 20% of London's CO2 emissions, with buses contributing 5%. The city set a target of a 20% reduction in emissions by 2020, and converting the entire bus fleet to hybrid vehicles was estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 200,000 tonnes per year.
London has trialled various low-emission buses, including hydrogen fuel cell buses, hybrid buses, and ethanol-fuelled double-deckers. The first hybrid buses entered service in 2005, and by 2012, 300 hybrids were in operation. The New Routemaster, introduced in 2012, is a more fuel-efficient option, with improved nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions compared to conventional diesel buses.
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Hybrid electric buses produce 40% less CO2 than diesel buses
The London Buses fleet consumes around 250 million litres of diesel per year. However, the shift towards electric vehicles is gaining momentum, with electric buses becoming increasingly common. This is largely due to the environmental benefits they offer. Electric buses have zero tailpipe emissions, which means they do not produce black carbon, a toxic, short-lived climate-changing agent.
Hybrid electric buses, in particular, offer a significant reduction in CO2 emissions compared to diesel buses. A study conducted in the four largest cities in Spain found that hybrid and electric buses showed a 40% decrement in CO2 well-to-tank emissions compared to diesel buses. This equates to a 40% reduction in CO2 life cycle emissions.
The benefits of electric buses extend beyond their direct emissions impact. Electric vehicles are significantly more efficient at converting energy to miles driven than combustion engines. This is evident in a European study, which concluded that electric vehicles produce 73% less CO2 per mile than gasoline cars. Furthermore, electric buses can carry the equivalent of up to 60 single-occupancy vehicles, thereby reducing emissions and congestion by removing cars from the road.
While the upfront environmental impact of battery production cannot be ignored, there is a growing trend of finding new applications for batteries, giving them a second life. Additionally, the shift to electric buses is supported by stringent global standards aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the automotive sector.
In summary, hybrid electric buses offer a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions compared to diesel buses, contributing to improved air quality and progress towards global warming targets. The increasing adoption of electric buses by transit agencies worldwide underscores the recognition of their environmental and efficiency benefits.
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Hydrogen fuel cell buses were introduced in 2004
London's fleet of over eight thousand diesel buses has long been responsible for the capital's air quality crisis. To address this, London has been at the forefront of advancing clean transport technologies.
In January 2004, three hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses were introduced on route 25 as part of a pioneering two-year European project to reduce air pollution and noise. These zero-emission buses were then transferred to route RV1 in September 2004, where they were tested at peak times only. They were eventually withdrawn in January 2007.
These initial hydrogen fuel cell buses were single-decker buses, specifically the Mercedes-Benz Citaro. In 2010, eight more hydrogen buses were introduced on route RV1, replacing the Citaros, which were removed from service in 2010. This was the largest hydrogen bus fleet in Europe at the time.
Since then, London has continued to experiment with hydrogen fuel cell buses, including the introduction of two hydrogen fuel cell double-deckers in 2018, with one being a conversion of a former hybrid bus and the other a brand new Streetdeck FCEV from Wrightbus.
As of March 2025, there are 20 hydrogen fuel cell buses operating in London, out of a total bus fleet of 8,797. The entire fleet is set to be zero-emission by 2034, if not earlier.
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Routemaster buses with original engines get under 6 miles per gallon
The fuel efficiency of London buses has been a topic of interest for several years, with a focus on reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. According to Transport for London (TfL), Routemaster buses with their original engines get under 6 miles per gallon (mpg). This information was obtained from TfL's own bus test cycle, providing valuable insights into the fuel efficiency of these iconic vehicles.
The Routemaster bus, known for its distinctive design, has undergone various iterations over the years, including the introduction of newer, more environmentally friendly models. While the original Routemaster buses may have lower fuel efficiency, newer models have been designed with improved fuel economy and reduced emissions in mind.
In recent years, there has been a push for greener alternatives, with the introduction of hybrid and electric buses. The New Routemaster, for example, is a hybrid vehicle that combines a diesel engine with an electric battery pack, offering improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. This model has been touted as "the greenest double-decker hybrid in the world" by the Mayor of London.
However, it's important to note that the fuel efficiency of buses can vary depending on various factors, including the model, emission standards, and testing conditions. For example, the New Routemaster bus was reported to achieve 11.7 mpg during tests at the Millbrook testing centre, but only 6.7 mpg on the road. This discrepancy highlights the difference between lab conditions and real-life operating conditions.
Despite the lower fuel efficiency of the original Routemaster buses, efforts have been made to improve the overall fuel economy and reduce emissions across London's bus fleet. TfL has set targets for emission reduction and introduced hybrid and electric buses to achieve these goals. By converting to hybrid vehicles, London has taken significant steps toward reducing CO2 emissions and improving air quality.
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London's bus fleet emits 5% of the city's CO2 emissions
In 2006, London's bus fleet was responsible for 5% of the city's CO2 emissions. Transport for London (TfL) has since made efforts to improve the fuel economy of its buses and reduce emissions. TfL introduced hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses on route 25 in 2004, which were later transferred to route RV1 in 2006. In 2005, six Wright Electrocity single-deckers, the first hybrid buses, were ordered for route 360. The first hybrid double-decker bus, constructed by Wrightbus, was unveiled in October 2006.
In 2008 and 2009, an ethanol-fueled double-decker bus was operated by Transdev London. In 2010, eight more hydrogen buses were introduced on route RV1, making it the largest hydrogen bus fleet in Europe at the time. By 2012, TfL had introduced 300 hybrid buses into service, and in 2013, the New Bus for London, a Routemaster-inspired hybrid, was introduced, achieving a fleet average of 6.74 miles per gallon (mpg). Testing at the Millbrook Proving Ground revealed that the New Routemaster was the most fuel-efficient in the fleet, achieving 11.7 mpg.
TfL has continued to work towards reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. In 2022, Equipmake converted a New Routemaster bus to use batteries, replacing the diesel engine and hybrid system with a 400kWh battery and electric motors. While TfL initially stated that battery-electric buses did not have the range and reliability for London, they have become more viable with technological advancements.
The efforts to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy are crucial, considering that the London Buses fleet consumes around 250 million litres of diesel fuel annually, contributing significantly to the city's carbon footprint.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, London's double-deck hybrid bus fleet achieves 6.74 miles per gallon (mpg). However, this figure varies depending on the model and emission standard. For example, the New Routemaster achieves 11.7 mpg, while the Routemaster with the original engine achieves just under 6 mpg.
The fuel consumption of a London bus can be affected by various factors, including the weight of the bus, the route it operates on, and the conditions in which it is driven. For example, testing centres run vehicles in lab conditions, which can result in better fuel economy and lower emissions readings.
The London Buses fleet consumes around 250 million litres of diesel per year. However, this figure may vary depending on the number of buses in operation and their fuel types.
London has introduced low-emission buses, including hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses, to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The city set a target of a 20% reduction in emissions by 2020, and converting the entire bus fleet to hybrids would reduce CO2 emissions by 200,000 tonnes per year.
