UK’s Route 358 Launches 6-Minute Charging Electric Tram-Like Buses

Govind Tekale

Lined Circle
Lined Circle

London's Route 358 debuts a fleet of pantograph-equipped Irizar buses spanning 24.14km, marking Western Europe's largest electric bus deployment with 1,700 zero-emission units.

Photo Source- @TfL (X formerly Twitter)

How do these electric beasts recharge? Six-minute flash charging cycles at terminal stations power complete end-to-end revenue runs without depot returns.

Photo Source- @TfL (X formerly Twitter)

Lined Circle

Each 80-passenger Irizar unit comes decked with camera mirrors, speed governors linked to TfL's adaptation system, and pedestrian alert tech for maximum safety.

Photo Source- @TfL (X formerly Twitter)

Go-Ahead London's £500 million electrification plan through 2026 aims to expand their current 636-unit electric fleet with advanced pantograph charging systems.

Photo Source- Julian Walker (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Lined Circle

Why did Orpington's terminus need precision engineering? The hub now coordinates seven routes around pantograph charging windows while handling peak frequencies.

Photo Source- Daniel Wright (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

What's powering the UK economy? 3,000 jobs spread across Ballymena, Falkirk, and Yorkshire support the bus production pipeline.

Photo Source- Julian Walker (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Lined Circle

TfL targets 25km of additional bus priority lanes by 2025, with the SL4 route connecting Canary Wharf to Grove Park next in line.

Photo Source- Martin Ruthe's Transport Photos (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Real-world data proves these buses maintain reliable headways during peak demand while charging, backed by regenerative braking systems.

Photo Source- Julian Walker (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Lined Circle

"Air pollution contributes to thousands of premature deaths," states TfL's Director of Buses Lorna Murphy, as each bus operates with zero direct emissions.

Photo Source- Martin Ruthe's Transport Photos (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Next Story

San Joaquin’s 5 New Hydrogen Buses with 300-Mile Range Debut, Pushing 100% Zero-Emissions Goal by 2029 with California HVIP and Air Resources Board Support

Learn more