Electric buses reducing air and noise pollution in Oxford, research suggests
The introduction of 159 electric buses to serve the Oxford area has led to significant reductions in air and noise pollution.
In 2023, a deal worth £82.5 million was agreed between Oxfordshire County Council, the government, Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach to fund the fleet of new battery electric vehicles.
Provisional data suggests that bus fleet electrification has reduced roadside citywide nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations across Oxford by an average of 10 per cent from 2023 to 2024, and up to 24 per cent in areas of high bus traffic such as St Aldates and High Street.
The transition from diesel to electric buses also cut roadside traffic related noise in central Oxford by an average of 5.1 decibels – comparable to the reduction in noise you would experience by moving three times further away from a road.
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We are proud and thrilled that we were able to back our ambitions with political and financial capital, alongside our partners, to deliver a safer, cleaner, greener, better county for residents and visitors. This provisional data shows what a difference these electric buses are making to people’s lives already.”
The analysis by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team (Universities of Birmingham, Warwick and Keele), in partnership with the University of Oxford, investigated air and noise pollution changes before, during and after the introduction of battery electric buses in Oxford.
It also explored people’s experiences of introducing and using the new fleet, including key stakeholders, bus passengers, residents and commuters.
Dr Suzanne Bartington, Clinical Associate Professor in Environmental Health at the University of Birmingham, said: “The transition to electric buses has had a measurable and meaningful impact on air and traffic related noise quality in Oxford. Importantly, we found that people noticed these changes – including less diesel fumes and fewer sleep disturbances, suggesting a real benefit for people’s lives.”
The zero emission bus regional area (ZEBRA) funding scheme is a national initiative contributing to transport decarbonisation and improved bus quality and provision. It has supported the deployment of over 4,000 zero emission buses in England since 2021.
In Oxfordshire, the county council contributed £6m and secured £32.8m from the Department for Transport. This was supplemented by £43.7m from the two commercial bus operators to support the introduction of 159 battery electric buses, across 34 routes in Oxford city centre and the surrounding areas, plus the Sightseeing buses.
At full implementation, electric buses account for 69 per cent of daily bus mileage within the city and 49 per cent of daily bus flow.
Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, said: “We’re proud of the significant contribution to reducing emissions and improving air quality in Oxford our fleet is making.
“The whole community is positively benefiting from this ambitious infrastructure project, which demonstrates what can be achieved when key stakeholders have a shared vision and work together.
“We remain committed to building on this progress across the county and have invested in a further 13 electric vehicles which will enter service in spring 2026. These vehicles will help to improve air quality more widely in our county.”
Chris Hanson, Managing Director of Stagecoach West, said: “The introduction of our 55 electric vehicles in Oxford has been truly transformational. These buses are delivering greener, zero emission journeys right across the city’s network, while also offering a noticeably smoother, quieter and more comfortable experience for our customers.
“The response from passengers has been overwhelmingly positive and, just as importantly, this investment marks a vital step towards our pledge to operate a fully zero emission fleet by 2035.”
Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to health in the UK contributing to an estimated 30,000 early deaths each year.
Exposure increases the risk of asthma, stroke, heart disease and lung cancer and is linked to adverse birth outcomes, diabetes, high blood pressure and dementia.
Simon Lightwood, Roads and Buses Minister, said: “We all know that zero emission buses offer smoother, quieter journeys for passengers but as this research shows, they play an important role in delivering cleaner air in our towns and cities too.
“I am delighted to see the effect these electric buses are having across Oxfordshire, made possible by over £32 million in funding from the government. Not only do they get people to work and hospital appointments, they also help the environment, giving greener options for everyone.”
In Oxford city, air pollution has fallen in recent years but while legal limits are widely met across the city, levels still exceed World Health Organisation global air quality guidelines.
Noise pollution has a direct impact on sleep and increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression and anxiety.
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