What are the impacts of introducing zero-emission buses (for bus operators, passengers, and areas)?

Background

The reducing environmental impacts strategic priority is in recognition that there is an environmental aspect to all transport, and therefore almost all the work of DfT. Transport is the largest emitting sector of greenhouse gases in the UK, contributing 27% of domestic emissions in 2019. Our transport system must change to deliver the government’s Net Zero ambition and DfT will drive forwards that change through our longer-term green transport agenda. On decarbonisation specifically, we published our Transport decarbonisation plan (TDP) in July 2021, which sets out the steps we will take to deliver the necessary carbon reductions across every form of transport. Sustainability will be at the heart of levelling-up. People everywhere will feel the benefits – villages, towns, cities, and countryside will be cleaner, greener, healthier and more prosperous and pleasant environments in which to live and work

Next steps

Get in touch with bridgetoresearch@dft.gov.uk

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

DFT-Areas of research interest 2023 GOV UK

Related UKRI funded projects


  • Roadmaps to Zero Net Emissions in Urban Public Transport

    Technological and societal changes are transforming the nature of public transport services. As concerns over air quality, congestion, and energy security have become elevated, there has been increasing emphasis on the d...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: Queen's University Belfast

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on the impacts of introducing zero net emissions (ZNE) buses into the public transport sector, which directly addresses the question.

  • Hyper-heuristic Optimisation for Advanced Zero Carbon Public Transport Planning

    **As cities and regions seek to decarbonise, decarbonising public transport presents a major challenge. For example, the electrical requirements from electrifying a bus network could be between 1-15% of town's total grid...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: CITY SCIENCE CORPORATION LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically addresses the impacts of introducing zero-emission buses for bus operators, passengers, and areas, providing an end-to-end optimization system for collaborative bus service planning.

  • Vulcanaer: Retrofittable Air Hybrid for Buses Feasibility Project

    The simplest way to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions from urban buses is to use less fuel. The Vulcanaer system reduces fuel usage in an urban bus by harvesting its braking energy as it stops and then storing it...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: ARRIVA PLC

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project discusses the impacts of reducing carbon dioxide and other emissions from urban buses, which partially addresses the question. However, it does not specifically focus on zero-emission buses.

  • The B320 Project: A low cost, highly efficient, retrofitable hybrid system for bus applications

    The B320 Project will develop an innovative, low-cost, series hybrid powertrain that can be retrofitted into existing buses. The UK’s public transport bus fleet uses nearly 1 billion litres of fuel per year, and emits hi...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: VANTAGE POWER LIMITED

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project aims to develop a low-cost, retrofitable hybrid system for buses, which partially addresses the question. However, it does not specifically focus on zero-emission buses.

  • CELEB 2 - Cost Effective Electric Bus

    Public description This project brings together 3 UK SME's Equipmake Ltd, Potenza Technology and EPS, to develop a ground breaking electric bus architecture which will significantly improve the efficiency of electric bus...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: EQUIPMAKE LIMITED

  • DecarboN8 - An integrated network to decarbonise transport

    The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2018 highlighted the need for urgent, transformative change, on an unprecedented scale, if global warming is to be restricted to 1.5C. The challenge...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Leeds

  • Cost Effective Electric Bus (CELEB)

    Cities globally are under pressure to improve local air quality and reduce CO2 emissions. This has created a market pull for zero emission buses.However market adoption has been slow as current solutions are too expensiv...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: EQUIPMAKE LIMITED

  • Cost Effective Electric Bus (CELEB)

    The biggest issues for electric buses to overcome before mass adoption are range and cost, with the biggest barrier being the cost and weight of the batteries. The ability to run for 18 hours and 200 miles is the bench...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: EQUIPMAKE LIMITED

  • Newton Fund - Development of Smart Electronically Controlled Hybrid Energy Recovery Systems for Buses and Electric Vehicles

    The simplest way to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions from buses is to use less fuel and to electrify small passgener cars. The Vulcanaer system reduces fuel usage in urban buses & electric vehicles by harves...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: OSPREY RESEARCH LTD

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically focuses on reducing emissions from buses and electric vehicles through innovative technology, aligning with the question's focus on the impacts of introducing zero-emission buses.

  • Global Centers Track 1: CLEETS - CLean Energy and Equitable Transportation Solutions

    Transport energy demand accounts for 24% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, the single largest sector, more than energy supply, business or residential. 90% of these transport emissions are from road transport: 52% f...

    Funded by: UKRI

    Lead research organisation: University of Birmingham