There are approximately 60,000 transit buses that operate on the roads of American cities. While most of them currently run on diesel, they remain one of the more sustainable modes of travel.
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In comparison to an average domestic flight, which emits 246g of CO2 per passenger, and a petrol car, which emits 170g per passenger, an average bus emits only 97g per passenger.
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To further improve the sustainability of this public transportation mode, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration have allocated $1.7 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to 46 states and territories in .
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This funding aims to support the acquisition of 1,700 low-emission buses, with over half of them being zero-emission models. These eco-friendly, electric buses will utilize battery electric and hydrogen fuel-cell technology.
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Battery electric vehicles, including buses, have lower global warming emissions than diesel and natural gas buses because they don't have tailpipe emissions. However, this electric fleet still needs to be charged using electricity. Since 80% of the electricity in the U.S. comes from fossil fuels, battery electric buses are not exactly green. Despite this, battery electric buses are better for the environment than their fossil fuel counterparts.
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According to a study by the Union of Concerned Scientists, diesel buses emit 1.5-8 times more emissions compared to battery electric buses, with the range depending on the electricity mix in the region where they are getting charged.
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In regions like upstate New York, where the electricity grid consists of approximately 30% hydropower, 30% nuclear power, and 30% natural gas, battery electric buses have around 90% lower global warming emissions than diesel buses.
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The study also found that electric buses cause 70% fewer toxic emissions in California than buses running on fossil fuels.
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As the U.S. introduces cleaner sources of power like solar and wind to the electricity mix, the difference in emissions between battery electric buses and fossil fuel buses will increase even further.
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The biggest hurdle for cities to transition to an electric fleet is the high initial cost. As per the Department of Energy&#;s report, while the cost of a new 40-foot diesel bus is $480,000, a battery electric bus costs $887,308.
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On top of that, cities would also have to invest in charging infrastructure. This would include purchasing, installing, operating, and maintaining the chargers.
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But cities can cover up a lot of those costs through grants. DOE&#;s report estimated that if a city invests in 4 electric buses and four charging stations with the help of a $1.5 million grant, it would recover its investments in 3.6 years and over 12 years (assumed life of buses), it would save $785,000 or around $200,000 per bus.
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Another study done in Austin, Texas estimated that electric buses could save between $73,000 and $173,000 per unit over their lifetimes as the fuel and maintenance costs are much lower than diesel buses.
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With the improvement of battery technology and charging infrastructure, as well as increased adoption of electric buses, these savings are expected to increase.
Electric vehicles are no longer a thing of the future and now extend to buses and school buses. Adding an electric bus to your fleet of vehicles comes with numerous benefits, such as saving on maintenance and combating air pollution.
But purchasing an electric bus is a big decision that comes with a lot of implications. Blue Bird &#; the first to market electric school buses in &#; knows this, and as a Blue Bird dealer, so do the professionals at Gregory Poole. This guide will take you through everything you need to know before purchasing an electric bus.
An electric bus is a type of electric vehicle (EV), which means it is fueled by electricity instead of gasoline or diesel. They do not combine electricity with a combustion engine like hybrid cars do.
Electric buses draw electricity from the power grid and store it in a large rechargeable battery. The battery then powers the EV motor so it performs like a regular vehicle. There aren&#;t significant differences in operation between EVs and traditional vehicles &#; the biggest difference is in the charging/refueling methods.
If you are interested in reducing your carbon footprint by adding electric buses to your fleet of vehicles, there are some factors you&#;ll want to consider. Before investing in one or more electric buses, consider the following:
Electric vehicles are the cars of the future &#; Tesla has reached massive success, hybrid vehicles are on the rise in the streets and General Motors plans to sell only EVs by . The EV craze extends to the bus market too. In fact, the U.S. electric bus market is projected to reach $1.95 billion by .
Adding electric buses to your fleet might seem like a risk considering many are still wary of upfront costs and charging requirements, but it&#;s becoming clear that EVs are making their way to the mainstream.
Tailpipe emissions are a major contributor to climate change and air pollution. Electric buses do not produce any emissions, making them a much more environmentally friendly option for your fleet. The lack of emissions produced also makes the buses safer for people to stand near. Diesel exhaust fumes are harmful when breathed in, especially for children. Although it&#;s probably the most well-known benefit of EVs, their environmental friendliness should not be forgotten!
When purchasing an EV, you should also be aware that maintenance needs will differ from the vehicles in your existing fuel-powered fleet. All in all, EVs require fewer maintenance needs.
With an electric bus, you can forget about scheduling engine oil, air filter and transmission changes. You also won&#;t need to replace coils or spark plugs. Requiring less maintenance will help save you money in the long run.
The upfront cost of electric buses and EVs is no secret. The initial investment is typically higher than with conventional vehicles, but you can also offset the costs with tax breaks, government subsidies and grants supplied by your power supply company. These financial incentives can help make the sticker cost of an electric bus seem more reasonable while you wait for the economic benefits of long-term ownership to start.
Many electric bus owners might forget they&#;ll need a place to charge their EVs. Electric buses can attach to Level 1 or Level 2 chargers via an SAE J connection. Level 2 chargers are generally preferred since they can charge the vehicle faster.
Deciding to use a public charging station or purchase your own will depend on your situation. You could likely take advantage of public charging stations if you only want to own one electric bus. If you want multiple, investing in your own charging station(s) might be more beneficial. When making the choice between purchasing charging stations and using public ones, consider these factors:
Consider the following advantages and disadvantages of adding an electric bus to your fleet.
As we&#;ve seen, purchasing an electric bus for your fleet has many benefits. Some more electric bus advantages include:
Despite all the positives associated with EVs, there are still some cons. Some of the disadvantages of electric buses include:
If you&#;re ready to take the next steps toward an electric-powered fleet, Gregory Poole can help. For more information about our lines of electric school buses, contact us today.
The company is the world’s best electric city transit supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.