_Futurization
Written by: Thomas Haiz, Travel, Transport & Logistics Expert at WAVESTONE , Dr. Philipp Elbert, Travel, Transport & Logistics Expert at WAVESTONE
To meet climate objectives, emissions in the transportation sector must be significantly reduced in the upcoming years. Through the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD), the European Union has established the regulatory framework for transitioning local public transport bus fleets to zero-emission powertrains in the near future. It has become clear that battery electric propulsion will be the dominant technology in the urban bus sector. The shift from diesel to electric powertrains poses new challenges for transportation companies.
Electric buses: stepping into an emission-free future
The introduction of electromobility has led to rapid technical development in recent years, impacting not only propulsion technology but also new digital services and planning tools. This has injected significant momentum into the market. A closer examination of battery development in particular shows the brief cycles of significant advancements, leading to new products or iterations thereof. Switching from diesel to electric buses therefore represents more than just a change of propulsion; it signifies a systemic transformation, marking the beginning of a completely new technical, economic, and organizational ecosystem.
The time for experimentation is over!
While pilot projects have been initiated in recent years and individual electric buses have undergone test runs in regular service, the “trial and error” phase is now over. For transport companies, the challenge now lies in integrating large fleets of electric buses into daily operations and managing these fleets as efficiently, reliably, and economically as their diesel counterparts have been managed to date. With the right technology and smart processes, this is achievable. What adaptations must bus companies undertake to reach this objective?
Asking the right questions
When transitioning fleets to electric buses, it’s crucial to consider the entire e-mobility ecosystem, not just the vehicles. If this system is well-designed, electric bus fleets can unlock significant potential for a bus company.
Ask questions and answer them honestly. These include:
Are you still refueling or are you already charging? Charging management as a central task
The transition from refueling to charging marks a fundamental shift towards battery electric propulsion. Efficient operation of electric buses requires precise coordination and continuous monitoring of each system component. This includes battery capacities, bus sizes (solo or articulated), power and locations of charging stations, and route planning. Questions about optimal bus positioning in the depot and the best times for charging are also critical.
Electromobility and digital transformation
The adoption of e-buses introduces new operational dependencies, such as the need to closely integrate vehicle scheduling with charging management due to the vehicles’ reduced range. This added complexity increases the challenges of planning, scheduling, and monitoring. To ensure service reliability, companies are currently planning rather conservatively and deploying more e-buses compared to diesel buses. Intelligent digital tools can help streamline operations, potentially reducing the required fleet size over the medium term.
Leveraging efficiency gains through intelligent processes
Digital transformation has the added advantage of allowing for the collection and utilization of extensive data to optimize operations further: Remote diagnostics, smart fleet management, timetable and rotation improvements, and optimized charging cycles are just a few examples. The availability of detailed operational data also enables the use of algorithms with artificial intelligence and machine learning, which continuously learn and adapt during operation to changing conditions, offering additional efficiency gains.
New partners for bus operators
With the shift from diesel to electric buses, bus operators are entering a new ecosystem, bringing in new partners beyond traditional bus manufacturers, which used to be the most important point of contact. This ecosystem includes software providers for charging and depot management systems and charging infrastructure providers. Energy supply companies are becoming increasingly crucial as they play a significant role in installing and operating the charging infrastructure, making them key partners for transport companies. Effective planning and management of e-buses require close coordination with these new players from the start.
Challenges and new opportunities
This overview of the various fields of action should make it clear that a one-to-one conversion from diesel buses to a fleet of electric buses is not the way to go. Each transport company must develop a solution tailored to its unique requirements. Our e-mobility experts are ready to assist with:
We offer a customized concept for transitioning to electromobility, ensuring reliable and efficient operation of large e-bus fleets. Contact us now!
Country comparisons: what’s the share of electromobility in public transport?
The table below shows a significant increase in the share of electric buses in regular service over the last five years in five countries:
Country
Share 2019
Share 2023
Source
Germany
3,1%
11,3 %
VDV survey 2023
France
6,9%
10,7 %
Caisse des Dépôts
Switzerland
6,3%
9,7%
Swiss Public Transport
Austria
5,9%
8,8%
Statistics Austria
United Kingdom
4,6%
7,5%
UK Bus Industry Confederation
The share of electric buses will continue to increase in the coming years. Governments of all mentioned countries plan to switch to 100% electric buses for new purchases by 2025 (France), 2030 (Germany, Switzerland), and 2035 (Austria, United Kingdom).
Embarking on an emission-free future with electric buses
Electric buses offer the opportunity to make public transport emission-free. However, the switch from diesel to electric is more than just replacing the drive system; it represents a fundamental shift bringing new challenges and opportunities.
Transitioning to electric buses, while complex, offers vast potential. With careful planning and execution, transport companies can enhance the sustainability and efficiency of public transportation.
For support with transitioning to electric buses, reach out to our e-mobility experts.
Thomas Haiz
Travel, Transport & Logistics Expert
Thomas Haiz holds a degree in business administration and is a recognized expert in public transport. He specializes in guiding transformations and crafting digital transformation strategies for transport companies and public transport authorities. With extensive experience in advising on zero-emission fleets and mobility innovations such as automated driving, Thomas serves as a Senior Manager at WAVESTONE. He is known for proposing efficient and resilient solutions and is a frequent speaker on topics like automated driving, e-mobility, and AI use cases.
Dr. Philipp Elbert
Travel, Transport & Logistics Expert
Dr. Philipp Elbert pursued mechanical engineering at ETH Zurich, where he also completed his doctoral thesis focused on automotive engineering. His research led to the design and patenting of optimized algorithms for the energy management of Carrosserie Hess AG’s hybrid vehicles. Since 2018, Dr. Elbert has been assisting transport companies and mobility providers in adopting sustainable technologies as a management consultant.
Together with you, we are rethinking the future of mobility in public transport. Contact us for an initial discussion.
