New tram-like buses begin running from Crystal Palace to Orpington

Tom Joyner, managing director of Go-Ahead London which operates the buses, said: “I am incredibly proud of the strides we’ve made this year in our journey toward a zero-emission future.

“This includes the exciting launch of the 358 route and the expansion of our pantograph technology, both strong testaments to our commitment to cleaner air and healthier communities.”

Lorna Murphy, director of buses at TfL, said: “Installing new rapid-charging pantograph infrastructure on one of London’s longest bus routes is an innovative step forward, helping us to run cleaner, greener services that get Londoners where they need to be.”

London’s deputy mayor for the environment Mete Coban said electrifying bus fleets is “key to the mayor’s aims of cleaning up London’s toxic air and making London a net-zero carbon city by 2030”.