Electric buses in Oxford: impact on noise and air quality
This event is free and open to all.
As part of Noise Action Week 2026, this webinar explores how transport policy can deliver measurable improvements in both noise pollution and air quality.
Focusing on a recent case study from Oxford, we will examine the real-world impacts of large-scale electric bus deployment and what it reveals about effective policy implementation. Drawing on research led by the University of Oxford and partners, the session highlights how coordinated local and national action enabled the rollout of 159 electric buses, resulting in significant reductions in roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations, alongside clear and measurable decreases in urban noise levels.
While air quality improvements are often the primary driver of transport decarbonisation policies, this case study provides valuable evidence of the co-benefits for noise reduction—an area that remains comparatively underrepresented in policy evaluation. The findings offer important insights for environmental scientists, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to design and implement interventions that address multiple environmental stressors simultaneously.
Join us to explore the implementation barriers, enablers and strategies that underpin these outcomes — and to consider how similar strategies can be applied in other contexts.
Our speakers
Dr Suzanne Bartington
Dr Suzanne Bartington is a Clinical Associate Professor in Environmental Health in the Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham and Honorary Consultant in Public Health (UKHSA ). Her research interests include health and economic impact assessment, whole-systems approaches to complex environmental challenges and public health policy. Recent research includes leading a multi-methods NIHR-funded evaluation of the introduction of battery electric buses in Oxford City and developing the Wellcome Trust funded Climate-Health Explorer policy toolkit for assessing health co-benefits of climate mitigation and adaptation actions. She has a current research portfolio >£20 million, is former UK Clean Air Champion and is an expert member of the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants.
Dr Felix Leach
Dr Felix Leach is an Associate Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. He works on air and noise pollution alongside public sector stakeholders including projects such as the impacts of covid-19 restrictions, low traffic neighbourhoods, and bus electrification. He also researches emissions and efficiency in thermal propulsion systems as well as green ammonia for maritime decarbonisation. In addition to publishing over 90 academic papers, Felix is the author of the award-winning books “Racing Toward Zero” about decarbonising transportation rapidly and “Critical Mass” about the negative impacts of ever-heavier vehicles.
Dr Kate Garrott
Dr Kate Garrott is a Research Fellow within the PHRESH Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team (PHIRST) at University of Birmingham. Kate’s research focuses on collaborating with local authorities deliver evaluations of interventions with potential to impact public health. Within her role she undertakes research on co-developed evaluations of local authority led public health interventions, including an evaluation of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme in Oxford, the Lifestyle Hub intervention in Pennine Lancashire and an evaluation of the national Supervised Toothbrushing scheme for 3-5 year olds. Beyond this work, her research interests are population level public health interventions with an interest in environmental interventions to promote physical activity and healthier diets. Kate has previously led research evaluating financial incentives to reduce car use in new housing developments.
About Noise Action Week
Noise Action Week is the UK's campaign to raise awareness and reduce noise pollution. It is organised by the Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC) at the IES. Find out more here.
Header image credit: © Suzanne Bartington
