Sadiq Khan celebrates as London ‘leads the charge’ with zero-emission bus milestone

London has reached a significant milestone in its sustainable transport ambitions, with Mayor Sadiq Khan declaring the capital is "leading the charge in sustainable transport" as its 3,000th zero-emission bus was unveiled.

The new fully electric double-decker, manufactured by Northern Ireland-based Wrightbus, will be operated by Stagecoach London on the 165 route, connecting Romford and Rainham. While the majority of Transport for London’s (TfL) zero-emission bus fleet consists of battery electric vehicles, it also includes 20 hydrogen fuel cell double-deckers.

Since 2021, all new buses introduced in London have been zero-emission. The city’s electric bus fleet has seen substantial growth, from just 30 vehicles in 2016 to now comprising a third of TfL’s total bus fleet. This number is projected to double before the end of the decade.

TfL had previously aimed for all 9,000 of its buses to be zero-emission by that same point, a target it suggests could be accelerated with additional government funding. In a related effort to reduce carbon emissions, lighting at all 12,000 bus shelters across London has been converted to LEDs.

Sir Sadiq, who chairs TfL, said: “I’m proud that London is leading the charge in sustainable transport with 3,000 of our iconic red buses now going green – which is a hundred times more than when I took office in 2016, and one of the largest zero-emission bus fleets in Europe.

“Over the last decade as Mayor, I’ve worked with TfL to take our bus network from strength to strength – creating new services such as the game-changing Superloop, and boosting our zero and low-emission buses to help clean up our air and support our climate goals.”

Lorna Murphy, director of buses at TfL, said: “This is more than a milestone; it is real visible change – cleaner journeys for Londoners every day.

“With a third of London’s fleet of iconic buses now zero-emission, it is even easier for customers to travel around the city in a sustainable, affordable and accessible way.”