Recent Developments and Challenges with Electric Bus Implementation for Transit Fleets

Electric buses are an attractive option for transit services due to their lack of direct emissions, smooth operation, and ability to reduce emissions of both pollutants and greenhouse gases. These next-generation buses can operate on battery power, coupled with an electric motor, or with a combined hydrogen fuel cell/battery power system. The purpose of this review is to examine the latest market development and real-world performance, focusing on bus operational experience in California. The review finds: 1) electric bus markets are growing globally; 2) battery-powered models have the highest fuel economy in real-world tests, followed by hydrogen fuel cell and then diesel-hybrids; 3) maintenance costs impact overall operational costs along with capital and fuel costs; and 4) weather and especially colder conditions can significantly affect performance. Overall, even with recent progress, higher capital costs remain an obstacle for market adoption, along with challenges with electricity recharging and hydrogen refueling.