London hybrid bus fleet to reach 300

In a bid to reduce the environmental impact of London’s 8,000 diesel-powered buses, 300 single and double-deck, eco-friendly hybrid models are to be introduced to the city’s streets by 2011.

By the end of January next year, the number of hybrid buses in the Capital will more than quadruple to 56 buses – the largest fleet of hybrid buses in Britain.

Hybrid buses produce 40% less CO₂

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “A wonderful alliance of fuel efficiency and fume deficiency make hybrid engines the way to go for buses in our city.”

“Londoners that travel on buses with the green leaf livery can rest comfortably in their seats and enjoy clear environmental consciences, safe in the knowledge that their journey will guzzle far less fuel and expire a whopping forty per cent less carbon dioxide than a regular bus.”

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Hybrid buses are cleaner and greener than their diesel counterparts and do a great job of promoting the environmental benefits of public transport.”

The Mayor has said that the replacement for the Routemaster should run on a hybrid engine.

What makes a hybrid bus greener?

Conventional diesel-powered buses are responsible for high levels of particulate – or soot – emissions that are damaging to our health. In a hybrid bus a much smaller diesel engine runs constantly, but at peak efficiency, to produce power for clean and quiet electric motors.

To date, buses fitted with the “HybriDrive system” are estimated to have dramatically reduced particulate emissions as well as saving five million gallons of diesel fuel and 50,000 tons of carbon emissions.

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The road to greener motoring

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