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Transport for London has started to incorporate its first zero emissions pure electric buses. The single deck buses will run a trial period connecting... London Gets First Pure Electric Buses

Transport for London has started to incorporate its first zero emissions pure electric buses. The single deck buses will run a trial period connecting Victoria, Waterloo and London Bridge from Thursday 19 December, along the central 507 and 521 routes.  Two buses will be trialed in December, with a further six added in early 2014.

The charging time of the buses takes around 4 to 5 hours overnight and can drive 250 kilometres before running out of power. That should be enough energy to run them all day and it would offer a 75 per cent saving over diesel buses. The 368 hybrid buses are already being used on 25 London bus routes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 per cent compared to conventional buses.

TFL Electric Buses

The BYD Auto manufactured buses will have zero per cent exhaust emissions meaning lower overall carbon emissions, which is ideal for the centre of England’s capital. The trial is a step in the right direction for creating the London Ultra Low Emission Zone, which Boris Johnson, London Mayor, has in mind for the future of London. While things appear to be moving quickly we probably won’t see these buses in use everywhere until approximately five years down the line.

Transport for London’s Director of Buses, Mike Weston said, “We will be closely monitoring the performance of these vehicles while they are being trialled here in London. Should the performance and reliability of these buses meet London’s challenging requirements, this could be a very important step towards adopting this new clean technology in the capital.”

The trial should reveal if these kinds of buses meet the tough demands of the nation’s capital. This must mean exhibiting an ability to run all day, have enough to charge to complete the routes, recharge quickly and handle that on a daily repeating basis.

[Image via tflcar]

SOURCE: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/125935-london-gets-first-pure-electric-buses-for-zero-tail-pipe-emissions-travel