While many Americans understand the value of public transportation, we’re still a largely car dependent nation. In part, negative public perceptions of buses is largely tied to their noise and diesel smoke exhaust. What if we could change that image and, in doing so, create more sustainable and healthier cities?
We could see cities that attract businesses and boost the quality of life for all residents. And, most importantly, those changes can also help lower municipal costs allowing you to allocate resources to address other needs.Electric bus fleets, as part of your public transportation infrastructure, provide those benefits and more.
Quick Links
- The Growth of Public Transportation
- How to Make the Shift to an EV Bus Fleet
- Challenges for EV Bus Fleets
- Top Advantages of Municipal EV Bus Fleets
The Growth of Public Transportation
From the 15-minute city to Gen Z moving to some big cities with the goal of being carless, public transportation is increasingly important, even with revenue dipping post-pandemic. Across the world, urban areas are working on ways to be car free and while America is lagging behind, it’s largely due to the way our cities have been built and designed. With so many goods and services spread across a city, residents are looking for ways to make those trips and increasingly relying on a variety of public transportation options.
Similarly, civil and urban engineers are looking toward the future and examining the successes of pedestrian plazas in big cities like New York. Other cities are relying more on e-scooters, e-bikes, rentable EVs, and public transit. In fact, many cities are researching and investing in plans that align with the concepts set forth by organizations working towards “Smart Cities of the Future” and the role public and urban transportation plays in those visions is vital.
For many citizens, relying on public transportation just makes more sense (and cents!). It’s estimated that individuals spend .16 cents of every dollar on transportation with 93% of that going towards vehicle upkeep. Without a car? Estimates suggest individuals and families can save up to $10,000 a year. For many, going car free just makes financial sense.
Thankfully, the benefits extend beyond ridership and convenience for residents. Cities with robust public transportation systems reap rewards, beyond being desirable to younger generations who are eschewing cars. In fact, it’s estimated that every dollar spent on public transportation means five dollars in return, spent locally.
That means that cities are looking for smart ways to invest in public transportation that can save money, address climate change concerns, and still provide the reliable services residents need. And there’s help on the horizon. The American Infrastructure plan which included $7.5 billion for electric buses means more cities can look to make the shift to an electric fleet.
How to Make the Shift to an EV Bus Fleet
For many municipal planners and fleet managers, the shift to an electric fleet can seem daunting and, perhaps, a bit overwhelming. So, the first piece of advice is to view the shift as a process rather than a project. You don’t renovate a home all at once; you take it room by room, or perhaps structural piece by structural piece. Similarly, you won’t go out and buy an entirely new EV fleet in one shot. In fact, maintaining traditional buses can help you during the transition.
Most traditional buses, on average, last about 10 years when in regular service on a route and you're working on a rotating schedule of maintenance and replacement. So rather than envisioning replacing all your buses, plan for routine replacement.
However, prior to EV buses even arriving at your depot, there are some important first steps and considerations you’ll need to make.
1. Energy needs and costs- First and foremost, you’ll need to have a good understanding of grid capacity and what kind of power loads are possible at your location. This can have an impact on your charging capacity and charging schedule. You may need to make some infrastructure investments prior to starting your shift.
2. Space- While gas filling stations can be located off-site, allowing your buses to fill up and then return to your depot, the same is not true for charging. EV charging stations will need to be located on site, so mapping out how to best use available space and accommodate charging needs will take careful evaluation of your existing site.
Working with an EV charging station provider who has significant experience in site evaluation will be essential as they can provide invaluable advice regarding layout, installation, and implementation.
3. Charging Stations- The final decision you’ll need to make as you initiate this important transition is the EV charging station company you want to provide the hardware, software, and support. It’s key to remember that all three of those elements are priorities when making this selection as any one of those aspects can significantly impact your charging experience.
4. Procurement costs- While leveraging existing incentives and grants will be helpful, and over the next few years you’ll reduce TCO with an EV fleet, you’ll still want to factor in the costs of fleet procurement as part of your planning.
Challenges for EV Bus Fleets
There are similar EV fleet challenges for municipal bus fleets as for any other fleet electrification process. From route management to charging schedules, managing an EV fleet takes some strategic thinking. In particular, cities considering EV bus fleets will want to consider:
1. City geography and topography
From weather to terrain, understanding what challenges your city presents is an important consideration.
When it comes to weather, particularly extreme heat, it can put a drain on the energy grid which may impact power availability. In fact, the National Energy Reliability Corporation (NERC) has suggested that some areas may be more at risk for brownouts or blackouts as power is diverted for vital resources. Similarly, extreme heat (or cold) means your buses need to be running climate control that can drain a battery pretty quickly. You’ll need to factor this into route planning and charging schedules as when confronted with these challenges, EV buses may have shorter ranges during these periods.
Live in a hilly city? Have a route that typically overcrowds a bus? Both of those separately, let alone together, can have an impact on battery drain (though this issue also presents itself with diesel buses) which may impact EV bus range.
2. Charging stations and locations
Where you put your charging stations, and the type of chargers you choose for those locations can be challenged. Obviously, for your depot, Level 2 chargers which charge more slowly, are a good fit as buses will be parked overnight, but when it comes to reducing deadhead trips, public EV charging stations, and particularly DC fast chargers may be a better option. Truly mapping out and aligning existing charging stations and what’s needed to meet your needs, provide the desired routes and charging at layover locations can be a significant challenge for many municipalities and fleet managers
3. Charging logistics
A good fleet manager knows what kind of mileage buses are getting, what fuels costs are, and how to manage routes to maximize both of those. Fueling up is quick, but charging an electric bus isn’t always as fast. In fact, it takes, on average, 1-6 hours to charge an electric bus and, depending on the charge, it may need 2-3 charging opportunities throughout the day. Those charges provide up to 250 miles, depending on factors (see above) that impact battery drain. As a result, fleet managers will have to carefully monitor charging logistics and work closely with city services as well as drivers to ensure buses are charged as needed, when and where they need it.
Charging logistics also includes managing which depot chargers are available (or which ones are available at layover locations), how long buses need to charge, and, again, all of the other normal route logistics factored in with electric bus range.
Top Advantages of Municipal EV Bus Fleets
There’s no sense in ignoring that there may be challenges during your EV evolution, but the benefits will be worth it.
1. Lower TCO
While both gas and electricity are fluctuating markets, fossil fuels are far more volatile. Then, you’ve got fewer moving parts which means fewer repairs. Not only do you decrease fuel costs, but you save on replacement parts and regain the time your maintenance department spent on repairs. Imagine how you could re-allocate those resources?
Further, electric buses are more energy efficient, which lowers your cost of powering them up (whether with fuel or from the grid). For one, EVs convert energy directly into motion. In contrast, combustible engines first convert fuel to heat and heat to motion. As a result, efficiency is lost in the process. Similarly, EVs don’t idle. If your city bus is making frequent stops at traffic lights, bus stops, and more, it’s not wasting energy.
And, with the right bus, and warranty, you can ensure your electric buses last 8+ years and so, over time, those savings will more than reduce TCO.
While reducing CO2 emissions to help combat climate change is a top priority for many cities, so is improving city health and quality of living. One factor that significantly impacts quality of life and the health of a city’s residents is pollution– noise and air. Ask anyone who lives in an urban area can tell you that noise is a constant factor in their lives. What they might not understand is the noise they’ve “adjusted” to can decrease their longevity as well as the quality of those years.
Further, air pollution can contribute to problems with heart and lung health as well as, potentially, other complications. All buses (and cars) with combustible engines contribute to both problems, but buses that are in need of maintenance can make the problem worse. EV buses, which again require less maintenance, also decrease pollution leading to improved health.
While U.S. sustainability goals, especially those tied to electric vehicles focus on 2050, global goals are focused on achieving sustainable cities by 2030. In response to those goals, many cities have appointed sustainability directors whose primary objectives include identifying areas where a city can decrease its impact on the environment. Further, for many cities, especially large metropolitan areas, are zeroing in on the ways they can make their cities greener, with a focus on city initiatives.
For many of the most sustainable cities in the U.S., a key factor that differentiates them is their transportation scores. Across the board, enhancing and investing in public transportation is a top priority for sustainable cities.
4. Attracting residents and industry
Many cities, desirous of attracting hi-tech industries and the higher paying jobs that often accompany them, would be wise to invest in infrastructure. Many of the not just startups but also established tech companies are looking for cities that their top talent would find attractive. While that means higher ed, arts, and recreation options, it also means creating sustainable cities that embrace technology and work to create a better future. Inviting in forward thinking businesses is just one of the many benefits of sustainable cities.
While it’s great to focus on the “green” aspect of fleet electrification, the truth is, for many cities, it comes down to finances. In addition to the direct savings,and the potential for further investment in public EV charging stations which can help generate revenue, transitioning to an EV bus fleet can boost city revenue in indirect ways such as business investment and attracting high income residents.
If you’re ready to talk about how we can get the process started, reach out to NovaCHARGE team today. The EV rEVolution is here. The only question is, will you be on the road with us?
