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Hydrogen bus route
The hydrogen-powered buses will operate on route RV1 between Covent Garden and Tower Gateway.
We have chosen a busy central London route because we are keen to ensure Londoners and visitors to the Capital know about the steps we're taking to reduce our impact on the environment.
We're also keen to offer as many people as possible the opportunity to travel on a hydrogen bus.
Our suppliers
American company ISE 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 and the refueling equipment. hey will also provide specialist maintenance of the equipment.
Air Products has more than 50 years of hydrogen experience and is at the forefront of hydrogen energy technology development around the world.
First Group is the worlds leading transport operator and will operate the buses on our behalf on route RV1 from Covent Garden to Tower Gateway.
Refuelling facilities
First Group have been granted planning permission by the Olympic Delivery Authority for the construction of a hydrogen refuelling and maintenance facility.
They have also received hazardous substances consent from the London Borough of Waltham Forest for the storage of hydrogen on the site as part of the refuelling process.
We plan to construct the refuelling facility within the standard diesel bus depot owned by First Group on Temple Mills Lane in Waltham Forest.
The buses will be stored in the garage overnight, where they will be refuelled for the next day's operation. Routine maintenance will also be carried out at this garage, in a designated hydrogen maintenance facility.
Housing the hydrogen-powered buses alongside 150 standard diesel buses will help prove their long-term viability for bus operations.
Construction of the hydrogen facility will start in early 2010.
Hydrogen source
The liquid hydrogen, derived from natural gas reformation, will be supplied by Air Products from its facility in Rotterdam.
Air Products has developed specialised trailers which can be used for delivering, storing and then transforming the liquid hydrogen to gas which can be used to refuel the buses.
Hydrogen safety
The new hydrogen fuel cell buses will be just as safe as regular diesel buses used in London.
All components and systems for any new bus undergo many tests before being certified for use on the UK's roads.
Each of the new hydrogen buses will have to pass all the same tests as conventional diesel vehicles, to ensure a comparable level of road safety.
Stringent safety measures are in place for the containers which will carry hydrogen gas. They are certified for full road use and comply with all the appropriate codes and standards.
There were no safety incidents involving the three fuel cell buses which were used during the three-year trial in central London.
