Alternative Technology
Unlike the current proposals for widespread introduction of plug-in electric cars for private use, a long-term solution to significantly reduce carbon emissions from heavy goods vehicles and buses is still evolving. Our strategy is to continue to take every opportunity to evaluate new technology and carefully monitor the successes and impacts of trials to provide the basis for our long-term vehicle purchase and engine strategy.
- We continue to work with Transport for London on trials of hybrid vehicles and have successfully secured funding to introduce a further 40 hybrids in Leeds, Manchester and Glasgow.
- In partnership with Transport for London, we introduced the first hydrogen bus into service in London this year.
- In North America we are trialling 12 electric buses in partnership with Los Angeles County's Foothill Transit Authority.
- All our UK Bus fleet and some of our vehicles in North America are operating on 2-7% biofuel mixes.
Hydrogen buses enter service in London
In December 2010 the UK's first hydrogen bus entered service in London. This was the first of eight buses which have been phased into operation on Route RV1. Funded by a number of partners, including Transport for London, the buses operate from a specially designed maintenance facility at our Stratford depot. The buses run through two of the most polluted hotspots in London, helping to improve air quality. This is part of a programme by Transport for London to bring 300 hydrogen buses into operation in London.
Biofuels and sustainability
When the introduction of biodiesel was initially proposed we made an early commitment to the conversion of our UK Bus fleet to 5% biodiesel. We aimed to secure early carbon emissions reductions that would later be augmented by longer-term improvements to our vehicle fuel efficiency.
When we made this commitment, biofuels were regarded as valuable in reducing carbon emissions from road transport. The UK Government planned to introduce the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO), encouraging the supply of transport fuels from renewable sources. This obligation is now in force and requires suppliers to ensure that a proportion of their sales derive from renewable sources in line with RTFO expectations.
However, concerns have grown about the real value of biofuels as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. These include the impact on food availability and price, the potential for major carbon emissions from land clearance, potential loss of biodiversity and social consequences. It is becoming clear that the impacts of biofuels vary greatly and while some have sustainability advantages, others may do more harm than good.
In addition we have also found evidence that the introduction of biofuels has reduced the fuel efficiency of our bus fleet. We have shared these findings with the Department for Transport and various academic institutions to determine the likely cause and any potential long-term implications. We are also investigating options such as additives to try to offset these impacts.
Despite these concerns, UK Government and EU policy continues to raise the proportion of biofuel required in petrol and diesel.
In line with these demands our fuel contains a proportion of biodiesel. We work closely with our suppliers, tracking their progress in meeting the RTFO reporting requirements and monitoring the risks associated with the use of different feedstocks. However, given our concerns regarding the sustainability and fuel efficiency surrounding biofuels we will not raise the proportion of biodiesel we use unless this becomes a regulatory or customer requirement.
We hope that second generation biofuels, which may compete less with food crops, will show potential.