All TfL buses now meet ULEZ standards

All of TfL’s 9,000-strong bus fleet now meet or exceed Euro VI emissions standards, bringing them in line with the requirements of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

This has significantly reduced the contribution from TfL buses to transport-related NOx emissions, with the proportion of transport nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions coming from TfL’s buses reducing from 15% to 4%.

Since 2017, TfL has worked to phase out polluting diesel buses and to retrofit older buses with cleaner engines. Now completed, this will see harmful NOx emissions from buses fall by an average of 90%.

In the coming years, air quality will be further improved by moving towards a zero-emission bus network and helping to meet the Mayor’s zero carbon target by 2030. Decarbonising the transport network and cleaning up London’s air will also support green jobs in the bus industry across the United Kingdom.

Around £85m has been invested in retrofitting older diesel buses to meet or exceed the Euro VI emissions standards since 2017. Each retrofitted bus emits up to 95 per cent less NOx emissions and 80 per cent less particulate matter (PM) than before, leading to significant air quality improvements across London.

As a key stage in the retrofit programme, 12 Low Emission Bus Zones were delivered between 2017 and 2019 to tackle the worst air quality hotspots outside central London, by concentrating cleaner Euro VI buses on the most polluting routes. The zones included high streets and town centres in Brixton, Haringey and Putney, and were introduced one year ahead of target. The routes helped transform local air quality with a 98% reduction in hourly exceedances on Putney High Street since 2016, previously one of the most polluted parts of the capital.

More than 400 all-electric buses have been introduced – including the UK’s first full routes of electric double-decker buses – and around 300 additional zero-emission buses are expected to join the fleet by the end of this year. TfL continues to roll out electric buses, with routes including 106, C10 and P5 converting last year, and there are plans for 2,000 all-electric buses to be in operation by 2025. The retrofit and electrification programmes form part of the Mayor’s ambitious target for all London’s 9,000 buses being zero-emission as soon as possible. TfL has outlined to Government that, with ongoing financial support, it could accelerate this programme to make all buses in London zero-emission by 2030 and in this year of COP26 help the UK meet its new carbon target of 68% reduction.