Abstract:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2021.103130.

The pace of direct electrification vs indirect electrification for public transit bus fleets is accelerating internationally. Clear targets have been established by transport policymakers to achieve a zero-emission bus target as early as 2030 in some jurisdictions. The focus of this article is on the environmental and financial implications of various technological and transitional timing choices for zero-emission buses (ZEBs). Two prominent choices are battery-driven electric buses (BEBs) and fuel-cell electric buses (FCEBs). The authors draw on evidence on these current and future developments to provide an assessment of the two types of technology on emission reduction, capital, maintenance and energy costs, and other aspects. The authors apply a decision support system to compare a number of scenarios for different electrification plans of bus fleets using Australian data. Comparing scenarios such as slow versus fast take up and different mixtures of energy technologies in future zero emission fleets provides evidence on the reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and costs in converting a diesel bus fleet to a fully green, at tailpipe, fleet. The transition to the BEB bus fleet will generate a significant cost saving for bus operators and an effective emission reduction for the environment above 30% based on the current electricity production mix.