Sadiq Khan unveils London’s 2,000th zero-emission bus in Battersea

London is leading the way with the largest zero-emission fleet in Western Europe. There are now more than 2,000 zero-emission buses on the capital’s streets helping to improve the city’s air quality and reducing its carbon emissions. 

This means two in nine of London’s world-famous red buses have now gone green, which is more than 20 per cent of the entire bus fleet. 

Today’s launch involved a bus specially-wrapped for the occasion and a short circular bus trip, both departing from and terminating from the bus depot on Silverthorne Road. 

Simon Hogg, Leader of Wandsworth Council, welcomed the launch of the 2,000th zero emission bus at Battersea bus garage. 

"Improving air quality is a key priority in helping our residents to live healthier and safer lives so it’s great that TfL chose Wandsworth to celebrate this historic milestone" he said. 

“London's zero emission bus fleet is setting a world class standard and here in Wandsworth we are breathing the benefits, with improved air quality in town centres like Clapham Junction, Putney High Street and Tooting. 

"Wandsworth is charging towards its goal of becoming a Carbon Neutral Council by 2030 and a Net Zero Borough by 2043, and the addition of more zero emission buses helps create a better, greener transport network for us all." 

Wandsworth Council has this month been named among the top London authorities and global cities for its leadership on climate action.

TfL’s target is to make its entire bus fleet zero-emission by 2030, putting the capital at the forefront of international efforts to green up public transport. Zero-emission buses are helping to tackle the dangers of toxic air pollution and the climate emergency to protect the health of Londoners and the environment. Making buses zero-emission would save an estimated five million tonnes of carbon over the next two decades. 

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London said: “It's fantastic London is leading the charge with more than 2,000 zero-emission buses in the capital, the largest zero emission bus fleet in Western Europe.  

“I will continue to do everything I can to ensure buses remain the most accessible, affordable and sustainable form of transport as we continue to build a greener, fairer London for everyone.” 

The route 337, which operates through Wandsworth between Clapham Junction and Richmond has become the capital’s newest fully electric bus route. 

As well as being green, these zero-emission buses also give customers quieter, smoother journeys due to fewer vibrations, and have a safer front-end design, and include the latest safety features. 

In London, around 4,000 premature deaths per year were previously attributed to toxic air. Air pollution increases the risk of developing asthma, lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, and there is growing evidence that air pollution exposure increases the risk of developing dementia. 

Improving air quality is also a key priority for the council, which has recently been named among the top London authorities and global cities for its leadership on climate action. 

Through new initiatives such as upgraded air quality monitors on Thessaly Road/Battersea Park Road and Putney High Street, swapping the council’s waste collection fleet to operate on cooking oil rather than diesel, which has cut carbon emissions by 90%, and a range of active travel initiatives such as Try Before You Bike and cargo bike hire, our air quality monitoring shows that almost all areas are within national standards for nitrogen dioxide. 

Learn more about how Wandsworth is improving the air quality.