London secures EU funding for 3 hydrogen buses

Date: 8/11/2010

Transport for London has secured funding for three more hydrogen buses in a bid to improve air quality in the capital.

The European Union's Cleaner Hydrogen in Cities project has pledged €5.67 million (£4.92 million) to expanding the capital's existing fleet of five hybrid buses, which are due to come into service later this year, while all eight vehicles should be up and running by the end of 2011.

Kit Malthouse, Chair of the London Hydrogen Partnership and Deputy Mayor for Policing, commented: "This is knockout news for the mayor's plans to cleanse the air we breathe every day."

Hydrogen vehicles only produce water vapour from their exhaust pipes and the new flagship fleet will "demonstrate the massive benefits of this exciting fuel," the expert added.

Last month, the government announced it will spend £15 million on new hybrid and electric buses, with local authorities and private operators invited to bid for grants, which will allow the winners to purchase some 170 vehicles in total.

Posted by Nick Anderson