Electric buses are complex and expensive. There are ways to reduce the cost over a bus’s lifetime and many decisions need to be made before you buy one.
The bus industry is being forced to change and become cleaner and more sustainable. Regulations on fleets that can be operated are pushing tour operators to move to electric buses that produce no emissions while they’re being used. Some of these are being enacted at a national level and some are international, such as in the EU. However, largely the the push is coming from local and municipal governments.
As with everything, making the move to an electrified tour operation will depend on your specific requirements. There are a lot of choices to make, almost all of them based on cost, and it will depend on how your operation utilises your fleet. You will have a lot of technical reading to do. Palisis is going to try and lighten the load.
The move is not just because of global heating. Cities are struggling with pollution and congestion. Particularly in Europe, cities were just not built to deal with the level of traffic that we now have. Even places built relatively recently are having trouble with the volume of cars on our streets. The grime that fills the streets from exhausts is costing millions in healthcare and cleaning. Cities want that dirt gone and moving to electric helps with that.
Paris has long had a reputation as a dirty city. Tourists were often shocked at the grime they saw when they first set foot on the streets of a city they thought would be glamorous. That perception is changing and is now said to be a delightful place to visit. Swimming will soon be allowed in the River Seine again. The city is working hard to take cars off the streets and has promised to procure only zero-emission buses from 2025, along with 35 other major cities.
Many tour bus operators will be looking at the regulations that are coming their way with trepidation. The need to purchase a whole new fleet in order to retain a license is a big ask. The buses themselves are expensive, charging infrastructure needs to be installed at the depot, and maintenance and charging are a whole different kettle of fish. Plus there are worries about the range and manufacturers struggling.
New buses are very expensive
As we stand, in 2023 the cost of running a new electric bus across its lifespan is 25% to 30% higher than diesel. There’s no getting around that right now. The capital expenditure at the start is just that much higher. Over time, as we have seen with electric cars, that will come down. But that doesn’t help those who need to make their decision now.
Bruno Lapeyrie, the Group Director of the Center of Excellence Energy Transition for Buses at Keolis, a French manufacturer, told Sustainable Bus Tour 2023: “The more you drive an electric bus compared to a diesel one, the less expensive it becomes. Therefore, if you find a way to extend the lifetime and amortization of the assets, particularly the batteries, you can achieve savings.” Even with a short lifespan extension, Lapeyrie went on to say, it is possible to achieve cost-effectiveness when compared to diesel.
Another option for tour operators is to retrofit their buses from diesel to electric. This is the road Big Bus has taken in London, with the first expected to hit the road at the start of next year. They are working with Equipmake, a UK-based engineering firm that also builds electric buses. Ian Foley, Equipmake’s CEO, said that this would provide “significant operating cost savings over the purchase of a new electric bus”.
Often, there will be grants or subsidies available to help operators make the change. Check with your local authority.
There are many options for charging
Charging is a frustrating part of the electrification process. There is still no standard for either cars or buses — manufacturers are still competing with each other to make sure theirs becomes the standard. That means there are a lot of options on the table and a lot of acronyms to get your head around. You need to work out which will be the best value for money across the lifespan, and know that it will work with the buses. Your charging solution needs to be a part of your procurement process.
Do you want AC or DC power? High voltage or low? Can you charge at a stop or must it be at the depot? Cable, battery swapping, wireless or pantograph (which can be seen on top of electric trains, trams and trolley buses)? Which option will become the standard?
These are generally divided into three levels, which go from slow charging to fast and cheapish to shockingly expensive. Level one is slow, two is a medium speed of charging and three is fast. Levels one and two will be AC, and three is also called a DC Fast Charger. A level three charger will probably give you a full charge of up to 128 kilometres in 20 minutes. Level two will charge up to 32 kilometres in an hour. You don’t need to think about level one.
Therefore, you’ll know whether you need AC or DC and low or high voltage by the buses’ schedule. If the fleet can be left overnight, you can take a level two. A level three charger will be needed if there are night tours or the buses are going to cover more than 120 kilometres in one day.
Electric bus charging connectors
Pantographs are the most common charger for electric buses used in public transport. They charge fast and are easy to put in place. There are a few different options to think about here as well — upwards or downwards and roof-mounted, underbody or sideways. Each will have its advantages and will depend on where you decide to charge. These allow you to fill up while at a stop.
Battery swapping would be fast and easy. However, it’s eye-wateringly expensive to buy the batteries and they take up a huge amount of space. You might be able to charge your phone wirelessly, but it’s unlikely you’ll think about it for a bus. It’s possible, but expensive and complicated.
Cable will be a good option for most operators. It’s slower than the pantograph, limits charging to the depot and it’s slower. However, it is cheaper and will do the job overnight. There are yet more different types of cables and connectors to choose from, which will depend on your location. Type 1 is for North America and Type 2 for Europe. You will also find CHAdeMO for Japanese makes. The Combined Charging System brings together Types 1 and 2.
These are the first things to consider when buying an electric bus, and only that. There is a huge amount to go through, such as whether you want smart charging (almost certainly), which bus manufacturers are currently reliable enough to meet demand, and what regulations and subsidies are in your area. Be careful — it is a huge expense — and make sure you know what your needs are. Watch our video on Grupo Julià impressive eco-friendly fleet and commitment to environmentally conscious transportation to learn more on how Palisis supports operators.
Are you an operator going through these changes now? Here at Palisis, we’ve been honoured to help companies through this transition, reach out to our team for our friendly advice now.