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London’s fuel cell buses surpass 1,000 hydrogen refuellings and 100,000 miles of service

London’s fleet of fuel cell buses, which have been servicing the town’s central RV1 riverside route since 2011, have now passed a milestone of 1,000 hydrogen refuelling events at Air Products’ station at Lea Interchange Stratford, a stone’s throw from the Olympic Park. With a tank of hydrogen allowing each of the buses to operate for up to eighteen hours a day, the fleet has now also surpassed 100,000 miles of service.

Although they demonstrate the viability and benefits of fuel cell transportation to thousands of Londoners, the buses are not a demonstration; they are a permanent part of Transport for London’s fleet carrying passengers between landmarks such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Covent Garden. The buses are operated by First Group for Transport for London and feature Ballard fuel cells and Wrightbus chassis integrated by ISE Corporation.

Commenting on the fleet, Mike Weston, Operations Director for London Buses said: “London faces many environmental challenges but we believe alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, will bring genuine long term benefits in tackling CO2 emissions. Hydrogen fuel cell buses are an exciting new technology which will help us further build on the excellent work we are doing to improve air quality for Londoners.”

The article was published in FuelCellToday.

Photo: Ruth Sharville