TfL tests electric buses from Optare04 August 2014

Four Optare MetroCity electric buses are being trialled in London, as part of Transport for London's (TfL's) aim for zero-emission bus fleets by 2020.

The vehicles were launched at an event last week (29 July) by Boris Johnson, mayor of London.

The single-deck vehicles go into service on route H98, between Hayes and Hounslow, and bring the number of electric buses in operation in the capital to six. The first two have been in service since December and two more are planned for later this year.

TfL's electric bus trials – part funded by the government's Green Bus Fund – will determine if the technology can meet the challenges of intense urban operations.

Optare says that while the initial capital cost is higher than for a diesel version, this is offset by lower operational and maintenance costs over the vehicle's lifetime.

The buses take five hours to charge overnight, or two hours using fast-charge technology, and have a range of up to 100 miles.

"We will be closely monitoring the results of the trials, which may help us adopt this new clean technology more widely in London," says Mike Weston, TfL's director of buses.

Author
Laura Cork

Related Companies
Optare plc

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