http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=14475The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, today announced that ten new hydrogen powered buses will join London's bus fleet by 2010. When operational on London's streets, the hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles will produce no pollution or carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming, and will help improve the capital's air quality.
Transport for London has signed a contract with ISE - an American company with a record of delivering hydrogen buses - for five hydrogen fuel cell buses and five hydrogen internal combustion engine buses. This is one of the world's first commercial contracts for hydrogen buses. The vehicles will be operated by First on behalf of Transport for London.
In February 2006, the Mayor announced the London Hydrogen Transport programme, which aims to introduce 70 new hydrogen vehicles into London - ten of these vehicles will be buses. Transport is responsible for 22 per cent of London's emissions, and the Mayor's Climate Change Action plan sets a target for annual reductions. Hydrogen vehicles are clean and efficient, and it is expected that the ten hydrogen hybrid buses will produce substantially fewer emissions of CO2 and other harmful air pollutants than a conventional diesel bus.
Ken Livingstone, said: "Hydrogen is a fuel of the future as it improves air quality and does not produce the harmful emissions which are causing catastrophic climate change. These ten new hydrogen vehicles will be clean and efficient, providing a smoother, quieter ride for passengers.
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