The Journey of the Green Bus A revolution in the introduction of greener, cleaner buses in the UK is helping deliver on climate and air quality objectives

HYBRID The Journey of the Green Bus A revolution in the introduction of greener, cleaner buses in the UK is helping deliver on climate and air quality objectives

Maintaining our ability to move It all began around 1996 when around in ever more congested DiD YOu kNOw… Transport Buses was towns and cities is more critical desperate to help reduce the The emissions tests for UK buses today than ever before. While a are the only tests in the world pollution along a major street in wide range of transport options that measure the full well-to- central London where there were now exist, there’s no doubt that wheel greenhouse gas impacts, high levels of particulates from an effective bus operation can taking both the fuel and vehicle the exhaust pipes of vehicles, deliver one of the best solutions emissions into account. including the old Routemaster to the challenges of air quality, buses. climate change, congestion, UK, the introduction of cleaner, convenience and, of course, cost. low emission buses is a vital But traditional catalysts (developed Bus travel has evolved with the component of a low emission for ) just wouldn’t work in the development of the green buses transport future. congested stop–start conditions of today. The Journey of the Green of London’s streets. The route to Bus explains how the last 20 years Where it all started a solution was via the first ‘real have transformed the emissions, world’ emissions test cycle for efficiency and experience of buses. For 20 years the UK bus industry buses. It will, hopefully, help to dispel has been driving innovation in some of the outdated perceptions the quest for lower emissions and Developed by recording Route of this essential travel option. greater efficiency. The last decade, 159 running right through the in particular, has witnessed a centre of London, the Millbrook With road transport responsible revolution in the UK bus market London Transport Bus (MLTB) cycle for around a quarter of the UK’s and, today, approaching 3,500 became the standard for every bus greenhouse gas emissions and buses certified to the LCEB (Low manufacturer selling vehicles in the up to 60% of roadside NOx Carbon Emission Bus) standard are UK and has formed the backbone pollution in many cities around the now in operation on UK roads. of all government support to bring even greener buses into operation. The particulates from those early buses were reduced by over 75% through developing catalysts Reduction in CO2 emissions from Low Carbon Emission Bus technologies* specifically to work on a bus cycle – real world testing had begun! Tonnes of CO2e saved (estimated)

70,000 60,000 DiD YOu kNOw… Flywheel Hybrid 50,000 40,000 Hydrogen A Low Carbon Emission Bus 30,000 Micro Hybrid produces 30% less well-to- 20,000 Biomethane wheel greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than a normal Euro III 10,000 Battery Electric Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide diesel bus. 0 Diesel Hybrid 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 * Compared with their standard diesel equivalents

1996 Bus Stop 1998 Bus Stop HYBRID Real world bus cycle Oxidation catalysts fitted to Routemaster developed on Route 159 buses – 90% reduction in PM

2 The journey of the green bus The carbon challenge 159

Buses lead the journey of In fact, so advanced was the UK At the landmark Paris Climate greenhouse gas reduction. bus market on this critical path, Conference (COP21) nearly 200 that it leapfrogged EU legislation, governments – including all the With the introduction of the introducing a comprehensive world’s leading countries – agreed Climate Change Act in 2008, the assessment which covered the a deal to cap global warming at UK became one of the leading whole well-to-wheel carbon ‘well below’ two degrees above nations taking international action impact of the buses in test. Every pre-industrial levels, with an on climate change. In Europe impact on climate change was aspiration to achieve a lower, long- the car industry had recently considered; the real effects of term 1.5 degree target. Tackling introduced mandatory legislation methane and nitrous oxide were climate change is now truly an for CO2 emissions with challenging incorporated into the definition. international endeavour. targets for future years, but the For the green bus there was structure of the heavy duty vehicle no hiding place where exhaust market (buses and trucks) left emissions could lurk unchallenged in fACtS policy makers challenged over or ‘fall outside the measurement’. The UK Climate Change how to measure – and manage – Act, 2008: the world’s first carbon emissions. A challenge that long-term, legally binding is still being tackled to this day. in fACtS framework to tackle climate change. 60% of the buses sold in the For the UK bus operators the UK are built by the three UK By 2050, greenhouse gases picture has become clearer. After manufacturers: Alexander are required to be cut by 80% Dennis; ; and 10 years of testing a wide range of compared with 1990 levels. vehicles, a picture of the carbon . impact of buses had emerged and testing and assessment processes were fully established. BAckgROunD What is an LCEB served as a performance target for different low carbon bus In 2008, the LowCVP devised a technologies and fuels and as definition of a Low Carbon Emission the bar for qualification for the Bus as one producing 30% less well- Government’s fiscal incentives. to-wheel greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions than a normal Euro III Recognising the need to balance diesel bus. air quality and climate change objectives, the definition of a LCEB has now been superseded by new Buses are playing a vital The greenhouse gas emissions covered were methane, carbon Low Emission Bus (LEB) criteria role in decarbonising road dioxide and nitrous oxide. This (see page 11). transport by significantly reducing their own emissions and through modal shift, replacing car journeys.

1999 Bus Stop 2002 Bus Stop First CNG powered LowCVP formed. Target of 600 low buses in UK fleet carbon buses p.a. by 2012

the journey of the green bus 3 Tackling air quality

Road transport is the main source Medical Effects of Air Pollutants Automotive manufacturers are of many air pollutants which impact (COMEAP) in 20101. required to comply with European local air quality in the UK. Pollutants legislation to control air pollution of current concern include nitrogen Air quality regulations have from new vehicles, commonly oxides (NOx) and particulates been set in Europe for various air referred to as European Emission (PM10/2.5). pollutants to protect human health. Standards. The latest – Euro VI – Though much has been achieved standard for buses was introduced Air pollution has a negative effect to date, 38 of the 43 UK air quality in 2014. It encourages the use of on public health, both short and zones still exceed targets for air advanced new technologies such long-term. Fine particulate matter pollution with at least five zones as selective catalytic reduction and nitrogen dioxide have been facing a major challenge in meeting (SCR) and diesel particulate filters identified as having particularly them by the legal deadlines. (DPFs) which are already delivering detrimental impacts to people, real benefits in fuel efficiency and adding to the risk of heart and emissions for fleets across the UK. lung disease and lowering life DiD YOu kNOw… The latest Euro VI buses deliver a expectancy. Exposure to small Road transport contributes 95% reduction in NOx compared particulate matter (PM2.5) was around 60% of NOx emissions with Euro V. implicated in 29,000 early deaths at the roadside where air around the UK according to quality is poor. 1. Defra 2010 via COMEAP. research by the Committee on the

A Euro VI bus emits 95% less NOx than a Euro V … and a fraction of that of an old Routemaster

Old Routemaster Euro V Euro VI (circa 1980) (2009) (2014)

22.00g/km 10.00g/km 0.5g/km

HYBRID

Source: SMMT: www.smmt.co.uk/2015/02/support-low-emission-diesel-cv-uptake-clean-britains-air-smmt-urges-policy-makers/

2003 Bus Stop 2004 Bus Stop HYBRID Development of the first First enters hybrid bus begins service in London

4 The journey of the green bus hYBRiDS plug-in hybrids A hybrid bus combines a conventional The latest innovation in hybrid bus technology, serving as a bridge diesel engine and an electric motor. to full electrification, is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and Range The hybrid system enables energy to Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV). These typically operate in a similar be recovered during braking and then fashion to the conventional hybrid bus but are fitted with a larger releases it to accelerate the vehicle. electric battery enabling longer electric-only range. They offer This improves fuel efficiency, reducing excellent opportunities to improve air quality and cut greehouse emissions and cutting fuel costs. There gas emissions. GPS devices can be fitted to ensure zero emission are a variety of hybrid buses from operation in areas of poor air quality such as Low Emission Zones, ‘mild’ to ‘full’ and now ‘plug-in hybrid’. switching to hybrid operation after leaving the zone. Alexander The method of energy storage can also Dennis’s Virtual Electric was the first type of REEV bus to be operated vary from a battery to a flywheel to in the UK, and a plug-in (PHEV) is expected to be available in supercapacitors. the UK in 2016.

Diesel hybrid micro hybrid Flywheel hybrid Diesel hybrids were first adopted by bus Wrightbus and ADL launched Electrical flywheel hybrids are one operators in the UK in 2009. Today they their first micro hybrid buses of the recently adopted hybrid are the most abundant low emission in 2013 and 2015. While technologies, entering the low buses in operation with 2,307 currently not a ‘propulsion hybrid’ in emission bus market in 2014. First being deployed. TfL pioneered the the usual sense of providing exploited by Williams in Formula introduction of hybrid buses, primarily alternative drive energy, One motor racing, the technology motivated by the aim of improving air this vehicle recovers energy was transferred to buses by GKN quality in London. TfL and Transport for lost from braking to power in partnership with Alexander Greater Manchester operate the largest the vehicle’s electric and Dennis. Wrightbus and Torotrak are hybrid bus fleets in the UK. There are compressed air systems. planning the introduction of a new three major hybrid bus manufacturers There are 782 micro hybrids type of mechanical flywheel hybrid based in the UK. has in operation, with the largest bus. There are currently 19 flywheel the lion’s share of the hybrid market, number running in Glasgow. hybrids in deployment, with the followed by Wrightbus and Optare. largest fleet operating in Oxford. DiD YOu kNOw… There are now (Jan 2016) approaching 3,500 low carbon emission buses operating across the UK covering a variety of technologies and fuels.

2007 Bus Stop 2009 Bus Stop First Greener Journeys, campaign to promote powered bus in UK modal switch to buses founded

the journey of the green bus 5 UK policy initiatives

Over the last decade, UK Following the DfT’s approach, was needed for the purchase of government policy has focused Transport Scotland introduced new kinds of bus technologies on accelerating the introduction their own Green Bus Fund and and accompanying recharging/ of clean, low carbon buses. BSOG LCEB incentive to galvanise refuelling infrastructure. The bus sector has been a key the low carbon bus market in area of attention because of the Scotland. contribution buses have made to BACkGROunD air pollution in the most congested The LowCVP has also focused urban areas. on identifying the low carbon London leads technologies and fuels most One of the key challenges faced suitable for buses, seeking London has a well-developed strategy for by bus operators is the high capital to understand the barriers to improving air quality by 2025, including cost of cleaner buses. In order to growing the market, and devising the implementation of an ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) by 2020, retrofitting overcome this barrier, the LowCVP appropriate incentive mechanisms. of buses and licensing new taxis to helped to devise two incentive be zero emission capable from 2018. mechanisms in 2009 to help kick- Through research in 2014 the (TfL) has led the way start the low carbon bus market LowCVP showed that ongoing in trialling and adopting low carbon and – the Bus Service Operators Grant fiscal incentives were required low emission bus technologies. (BSOG) Low Carbon Emission to encourage further uptake Bus Incentive and the Green Bus of low carbon buses. Support Fund. These were adopted by the and embedded into national transport policy.

The Government ran four rounds of the Green Bus Fund between 2009 and 2014, allocating a total of £88.9m to support take up of low carbon buses.

2009 Bus Stop 2009 Bus Stop HYBRID LCEB accreditation scheme DfT Green Bus developed by the LowCVP Fund Round 1

6 The journey of the green bus The Green Bus Fund provided funding to bus operators and local authorities to cover the additional capital cost of adopting low carbon buses. BAtteRy eLeCtRiC

Battery electric buses use an electric motor powered by a (typically) lithium ion battery for propulsion rather than an internal combustion engine.

Electric buses are zero emission at the point of use and therefore offer great benefits, particularly in terms of local air pollution. Using renewable electricity for recharging means electric buses also achieve high well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emission savings.

BACkGROunD Electric buses started operating the UK in 2010 and there are now (Jan 2016) The Bus Service Studies show LCEBs 111 deployed in the UK with Nottingham Operator’s Grant also cut air pollution City Council running the largest fleet. Innovative methods of recharging The Bus Service Operators Grant In 2013 the LowCVP commissioned electric buses are being explored with (BSOG) is a subsidy paid to bus the consultancy Ricardo to review Milton Keynes (see illustration below) operators in to support the air quality impacts resulting and London trialling wireless (inductive) from the rapid growth in uptake bus services, keeping fares charging infrastructure to increase the of Low Carbon Emission Buses affordable and enabling operators range and operational capability of (LCEBs) in the UK, a result of to run services that might not electric buses. otherwise be profitable. subsidies provided through the Government’s Green Bus Funds. Optare is currently the largest supplier The report* recommended that The amount is based on operators’ of electric buses. Alexander Dennis and legislation needed to consider annual fuel consumption achieved Wrightbus also supply vehicles using hybrid technology impacts in the by the entire fleet of public service this technology. vehicles. The rates vary for different test processes to maximise the kinds of road fuels. The BSOG was benefits in terms of local emissions. reformed in 2009 to provide a level playing field for low emission In a separate study**, the most buses. robust data available (supplied by Transport for London’s bus fleet) The LowCVP was involved in showed that carbon emissions, fuel the creation of the BSOG LCEB consumption and local air quality incentive. The incentive enables emissions were reduced for the low bus operators to receive an carbon vehicles compared with Illustration © Mitsui-Arup additional payment of six pence conventional buses. However, the for each kilometre they operate researchers found further scope with a Low Carbon Emission Bus. to optimise emissions control and after-treatment systems around the in fACtS operating cycle. First Bus is the largest operator of LCEBs in the UK; it has over 700 in operation.

* Air Quality Emissions Impacts of Low CO2 Technology for Buses, Ricardo, Oct 2013. ** In-service emissions performance of Euro 6/VI vehicles. TfL 2015.

2010 Bus Stop 2010 Bus Stop 2011 Bus Stop Inaugural LowCVP award LowCVP bus technology DfT Green Bus for buses given to TfL roadmap published Fund 2

the journey of the green bus 7 Recent policy developments

The Government department centres of Birmingham, Leeds, responsible for air quality (Defra) DiD YOu kNOw… Southampton, Nottingham and published an air quality plan in Derby; areas of the worst air quality. Government plans to introduce December 2015. It outlines national Clean Air Zones in the areas of worst and local measures to increase air quality. Low emission buses are a The Government has made £30m the adoption of cleaner vehicles in key part of the prescription. funding available between April 2016 towns and cities and achieve the air and March 2019 for the purchase of quality standards for nitrogen dioxide Under Defra’s plan, targeted Clean Low Emission Buses (LEBs) and the (NO2) as well as ensuring targets for Air Zones in five regions across infrastructure to support them. particulate matter (PM) are met. England will be introduced by 2020, together with the Ultra Low Emission The scheme builds on the success of One of the main reasons that UK cities Zone (ULEZ) previously announced the Green Bus Fund, but it will work have continued to face air quality for London. The plan devolves in a different way. It puts a premium problems has been the failure of responsibility for implementing and on supporting the uptake of the most (particularly smaller) diesel vehicles enforcing Clean Air Zones to local innovative, lowest emission vehicles. to deliver expected emissions authorities. reductions in real world driving The Low Emission Bus (LEB) test has conditions. The EU is set to introduce By 2020 the most polluting diesel been redefined to better reflect more stringent emissions testing vehicles – old polluting buses, the UK bus operating cycle. Under designed to ensure that vehicles live coaches, taxis and lorries – will be the new tests, an LEB will have to up to their low emission credentials. discouraged from entering the produce at least 15% less greenhouse gas emissions than the average conventional Euro V equivalent diesel hyDRogen bus and meet, or exceed, Euro VI Hydrogen fuel cell buses are emissions regulations. powered by fuel cells which convert the chemical energy of hydrogen and deliver electrical in fACtS energy into the powertrain. Hydrogen is, typically, stored Buses essential compressed in tanks on the roof of to the economy the bus with hydrogen refuelling facilities normally located at the The UK’s 88,683 buses and bus depot. These buses produce coaches deliver 5.2 billion no greenhouse gases or air passenger journeys amounting to pollution in use; water vapour is 18.1 billion miles each year. the only tailpipe emission. The automotive industry is a Hydrogen can be produced from vital part of the UK economy a variety of sources including fossil accounting for more than £95 fuel-based industrial processes billion turnover and £15.5 billion and the electrolysis of water using value added. (Source: SMMT, 2016) renewable electricity. The largest hydrogen bus fleet is currently run by Stagecoach in Aberdeen. The buses are powered by renewable DiD YOu kNOw… Photos: © Courtesy Norman Adams – Aberdeen City Council hydrogen. London has been operating eight hydrogen fuel cell In 2015, Low Carbon Emission buses over a number of years and Buses saved nearly 70,000 tonnes plans to buy more. of CO2 compared with their standard diesel equivalents.

2011 Bus Stop 2012 Bus Stop HYBRID The Local Transport Authority Toolkit for Low DfT Green Bus Fund 3 Carbon Buses (TTR report for LowCVP)

8 The journey of the green bus Almost 2.5 million people in the UK travel to work by bus, and a further one million use the bus as a vital back up.

Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, ‘Buses and Economic Growth’, 2012. biOmethAne

Gas buses are equipped with a spark ignition engine and store compressed gas in tanks on the roof of the vehicle. Most gas buses around the world are powered by natural gas. In the UK, however, gas buses must run on renewable gas to lower well-to-wheel emissions and achieve Low Emission Bus status.

Biomethane is a renewable form of natural gas derived from the decomposition of organic waste material in an anaerobic digestion plant such as farm slurry and municipal waste. In the UK there are over 120 anaerobic digestion plants producing biomethane. The fuel is compressed and injected into the national gas grid. The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has created a Green Gas Certification System which allows companies to certify the volume of gas they have extracted from the grid, enabling its use as a vehicle fuel.

Biomethane buses first arrived on the UK bus market in 2012. There are currently 112 in operation with Reading Buses running one of the largest fleets. Scania and ADL are jointly manufacturing compressed gas buses in the UK iN fACtS and the first double-decker version is expected to be in operation in 2016. Greener Bus Fuels It’s not just the buses that are greener. Low carbon fuels to power bus fleets come from a very wide range of places; some may be closer than you really want to consider!

Biodiesel from waste cooking oil and biogas from farm slurry have powered buses in service. In Bath and the number 2 route was serviced by a methane gas bus with the recovered from the Wessex Water Sewage plant. Affectionately named the ‘Poo Bus’ this must be one of the first examples of a truly ‘circular economy’ working in transport.

Dec 2012 Bus Stop 2013 Bus Stop 2014 Bus Stop 750 LCEBs in operation Green Bus Fund 4 Barriers and Opportunities to Expand the Local Carbon Bus Market (TTR/TRL report for LowCVP)

the journey of the green bus 9 The Green Bus has arrived…

Low carbon and low emission technologies and increase their industry continues to innovate, buses are here today in large uptake throughout the country. drawing on a diverse range of numbers and are already making Today’s low emission buses will technology and resources from a vital contribution to improving meet the requirements of the Formula One to farm manure! The air quality and cutting greenhouse recently announced Clean Air UK continues to lead the world in gas emissions. The journey of the Zones. They’re also delivering comprehensive assessment of the green bus, though, continues as carbon and fuel savings which real impact and undoubted benefits work goes on to further reduce benefit the climate and cut of greener buses. The green bus has emissions, commercialise new operators’ costs. The UK bus arrived but its journey goes on… .

Low Carbon Emission Buses on the Road (2012–15) and by Technology (2015)

2012 750 2013 1,379 2014 1,820 2015 Micro Hybrid, 782 Diesel Hybrid, 2,307

Biomethane, 112 Battery Electric ,111 Flywheel Hybrid, 19 Hydrogen, 18

2014 Bus Stop 2015 Bus Stop HYBRID Introduction of 6th round of Scottish Green Euro VI buses Bus Fund announced

10 The journey of the green bus The bus sector’s achievement in terms of the rate of innovation of low emission technology has been unmatched by any other vehicle sector in recent years. BACkGROunD BACkGROunD in fACtS What is a Low The ‘Factor 100’ The Low Emission Emission Bus? concept Bus Grant Recent research in Europe has In 2015, on behalf of OLEV and calculated that one electric In 2015 the Office of Low the DfT, the LowCVP revised the bus can remove from a city the Emission Vehicles (OLEV) definition of a Low Emission Bus same tailpipe emissions as 100 introduced a new bus incentive (LEB) to take into account the electric cars, to say nothing of scheme called the Low Emission dual goals of cutting greenhouse the reduced congestion and Bus Grant which superseded the gas emissions and improving the parking/charging space Green Bus Fund. local air quality. needs of those 100 cars. The Low Emission Bus Grant is a A Low Emission Bus is defined The largest city buses can carry £30million fund to be run over as a bus which can achieve up to 100 passengers and run three years (2016–2019) which a reduction of more than 15% over 18hrs per day, compared aims to stimulate the purchase of well-to-wheel greenhouse gas to a typical car driver just Low Emission Buses – not to be emissions compared with a Euro commuting an hour per day confused with the earlier LCEB V diesel bus, and achieve the and parking for 8hrs. definition – by local authorities Euro VI engine standard in terms and bus operators. of other emissions. 1 bus, 18 hrs daily use 100 people every hour It forms part of a larger £500m The LEB accreditation scheme financial package made

entails a new bus test cycle; HYBRID available by OLEV to increase the LowCVP UK Bus Test Cycle, the take of ultra-low emission measuring both greenhouse gas vehicles. The grant supports and air pollution emissions. the extra capital cost of low 100 e-cars, 1hr daily use emission buses and refuelling, or Another difference from the recharging, infrastructure. The earlier (2009) Low Carbon x 100 LowCVP has helped OLEV and Emission Bus scheme, is the DfT to design the scheme. that technologies that can demonstrate zero emission The grant is innovative in that capability – i.e. travel at least 2.5 DiD YOu kNOw… it funds Low Emission Buses in km of a route without emitting accordance with their well-to- any emissions – can benefit from Air pollution in the UK results wheel greenhouse gas emission top-up funding. in almost £1bn in terms of lost savings, offering additional economic productivity. support for technologies that are (Ref: European Environmental Bureau, 2010) ‘zero emission capable’ such as battery electric buses.

More than half (53.5%) of all new buses and coaches registered in 2015 met the 3,349 latest Euro VI emissions standard. (Source: SMMT)

2015 Bus Stop 2015 Bus Stop New Low Emission Bus (LEB) and Defra air quality accreditation scheme introduced action plan announced

the journey of the green bus 11 Commissioned by Greener Journeys Greener Journeys is a campaign dedicated to encouraging people to make more sustainable travel choices. It aims to reduce CO2 emissions from transport by encouraging people to switch some of their car journeys to bus or instead. It is a coalition of Britain’s leading bus companies and other supporters including Transport for London, Transport Focus, Transport for the North, the RAC Foundation, Confederation for Passenger Transport and the Campaign for Better Transport. www.greenerjourneys.com

Report produced by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership The LowCVP was established in 2003 as a public–private partnership working to accelerate a sustainable shift to lower carbon vehicles and fuels and create opportunities for UK business. Around 200 organisations are engaged from diverse backgrounds including automotive and fuel supply chains, vehicle users, academics, environment groups and others.

Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership 3 Birdcage Walk, London, SW1H 9JJ Tel: +44 (0)20 7304 6880 E-mail: [email protected] www.lowcvp.org.uk Follow us @theLowCVP Visit ‘TheLowCVP’

Jan 2016 Bus Stop Feb 2016 Bus Stop HYBRID Approaching 3,500 The Journey of the LCEBs in the UK Green Bus Published

12 The journey of the green bus