London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has been warned that his net zero bus plan may not be feasible, despite lofty ambitions to electrify all buses by the end of the decade.
Transport for London has set out goals to ensure the entire bus fleet servicing the capital will be zero emission by 2030.
Estimates from TfL estimate that electrifying London’s bus fleet would take 500,000 tonnes of carbon emissions out of the transport system every year.
Its Bus Action Plan, which was published in 2022, stated that a green bus network would be supported by Government funding and support from manufacturers and operators.
TfL also has the Vision Zero plan to ensure no one is killed on or by a London bus by the end of the decade.
Of the 9,000 buses found across the capital, more than 2,600 are electric, although TfL has stated it could take until 2034 to convert its fleet without Government funding.
However, a leading expert has now warned that London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and Transport for London could miss the electrification targets.
Bill Cahill, managing director of First Bus London, told The Standard that the 2030 target would be “next to impossible to achieve”.
An expert has warned that electric bus plans backed by Sir Sadiq Khan and TfL may not be achievable
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He noted that the removal of diesel buses from the wider fleet could be delayed as depots are not being electrified at a fast enough rate.
The expert also called on Transport for London to offer bus firms better incentives to help accelerate the switch to zero emission buses, such as longer contracts.
Mr Cahill noted that electrifying bus depots would “become progressively more difficult”, especially when compared to buying electric buses.
He warned that this was “creating a barrier for new bus operators” as there are issues with London’s power grid.
Sadiq Khan said he would not “water down” any Ulez plans | PA
“You don’t plug an electric bus into a 13amp socket. It’s a very high voltage system that takes a lot of planning,” Mr Cahill said.
The managing director said businesses need to book their power up to five years in advance before they can begin electrifying the bus depot.
TfL announced in June last year that its total bus fleet had reached another milestone of 2,000 zero emission buses, making it the biggest ZEV bus fleet in Western Europe.
Mayor Khan described the milestone as “fantastic”, adding that he would “continue to do everything I can” to accelerate the rollout of sustainable vehicles.
London has more than 2,000 zero emission buses on the road
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He continued, saying: “I’m proud we’ve taken London’s bus network from strength to strength since I became Mayor in 2016, increasing the size of the network, making transport greener and improving bus safety and customer experience.
“The number of London’s world-famous red buses that have now gone green has increased from just 30 in 2016 to more than 2,000 today.
“This is helping to clean up London’s toxic air, protect the environment and the health of Londoners.”