London's Hydrogen Buses: Now and Then

As you may know, 

Route RV1 was chosen to be operated by 3 diesel fuelled rigid (non articulated) Mercedes-Benz Citaros. Between September 2004 and January 2007, three trial fuel cell powered (Mercedes-Benz Citaros) were used on this route to compare their efficiency with their diesel equivalents. 

The fuel cell buses only operated in the mornings and early afternoon due to a lack of fuel capacity.

Here's the fleet of the Fuel Cell Buses with photos:

First London: Fuel Cell Bus - LK53 MBO -  ESQ64991

First London: Fuel Cell Bus - LK53 MBU -  ESQ64992

First London: Fuel Cell Bus - LK53 MBV -  ESQ64993

In November 2010, Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced that the route will again be operated with hydrogen-powered vehicles.

 The first of these buses was brought into service in December 2010, followed by another four.

There are now currently five of these hydrogen vehicles which currently operate on route RV1, operating Tower Gateway and Covent Gateway, based at Lea Interchange Garage (LI).

Here's the current fleet with photos:

First London: Hydrogen Bus - LK60 HPE -  WSH62991

First London: Hydrogen Bus - LK60 HPE -  WSH62991 - Rear

First London: Hydrogen Bus - LK60 HPF -  WSH62992

First London: Hydrogen Bus - LK60 HPJ -  WSH62993

First London: Hydrogen Bus - LK60 HPL -  WSH62994

First London: Hydrogen Bus - LK60 HPN -  WSH62995

Front Interior of the Hydrogen Buses

Rear Interior of the Hydrogen Buses


Currently all five hydrogen buses are currently out of service because, as part of the planning permission for the refuelling station in East London, there were numerous talks that there would be no deliveries of hydrogen during the period of the Olympic Games and that the buses could pose a 'major threat' during the Olympic period.

The hydrogen buses are expected to re-enter service in September, by which time all eight buses should have arrived and we'll keep updated!

A special thanks to all whose pictures are featured above!

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