London Moves a Step Closer to Hydrogen Buses

2 November 2009

The Olympic Delivery Authority has granted planning permission for a hydrogen refuelling facility to be built in east London—a major milestone in bringing a fleet of five hydrogen fuel cell buses into service. Transport operator First Group, which will run the five hydrogen buses, was granted the planning permission for the facility to be located at their bus garage on Temple Mills Lane, Leyton.

Work is due to begin early in the New Year and should be complete by summer 2010.

The five hydrogen hybrid fuel cell buses are due to join Transport for London’s (TfL) bus fleet next year operating on route RV1 which runs between Covent Garden and Tower Gateway. The buses will be refuelled and maintained at the Temple Mills Lane site.

US-based ISE Corp. will supply the hydrogen buses, working with fuel cell supplier Ballard and Wrightbus who manufacture the bodywork. ISE is a leading supplier of hybrid buses and clean heavy-duty vehicles. Air Products will supply the hydrogen, derived from natural gas reformation, from its facility in Rotterdam. Air Products will also supply the refueling equipment as well as specialist maintenance of the equipment.

TfL is also applying for additional funding from the Europe Union to increase the hydrogen bus fleet to eight buses. TfL is a member of the Hydrogen Bus Alliance, an international partnership whose members are committed to supporting the continued and rapid development and commercialization of hydrogen technology in the transport sector.

There are currently 56 hybrid buses operating in London’s bus fleet. TfL is committed to increasing the number of diesel electric hybrid buses and expects every new bus entering the fleet to be a hybrid from 2012.