Electric buses: at the heart of the city of tomorrow

‍Inan era when the energy transition is at the heart of global concerns, electric buses are emerging as essential vectors for more sustainable, environmentally-friendly urban mobility. These vehicles offer a promising alternative to traditional modes of public transport, making a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in our cities.

France, with its commitment to ambitious climate targets and its desire to promote green mobility, has adopted legislative frameworks encouraging the adoption of electric buses in public transport fleets. This dynamic is part of a global strategy, along with the introduction of electric trucksto reinvent urban space, making it cleaner, quieter and more pleasant for its inhabitants.

The regulatory framework in France

The adoption of electric buses in France is strongly encouraged by an ambitious legislative framework, aimed at promoting cleaner, more sustainable urban mobility. The French Law on Energy Transition for Green Growth (LTECV) sets clear targets for the renewal of public transport fleets with low-emission vehicles. This regulatory framework serves as a catalyst for local authorities in their transition to more environmentally-friendly transport solutions.

The energy transition law for green growth

In France, the Energy Transition Law for Green Growth (LTECV), enacted in 2015, has laid the foundations for a profound transformation of the transport sector. It aims to significantly reduce the country's carbon footprint by encouraging the adoption of clean vehicles, notably electric buses. This ambitious legislation stipulates that from 2020, at least 50% of new buses and coaches acquired by public fleets must be low-emission, with the aim of achieving 100% by 2025.

A booming market

The implementation of this law has given a considerable boost to the electric bus market in France. Between 2018 and 2019, the number of electric buses tripled, demonstrating the growing interest of local authorities in this clean technology. The diversity of territories adopting electric buses, from medium-sized towns to major metropolises, illustrates the ability of these vehicles to meet public transport needs.

This trend is supported by public incentive and investment policies, aimed at accelerating the replacement of traditional bus fleets by electric alternatives. By taking this step, France is positioning itself as a major player in the fight against climate change and in the promotion of sustainable mobility in urban areas.

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Advantages of electric buses

Electric buses offer a multitude of benefits that go far beyond simply reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By going electric, cities can significantly improve the quality of urban life, by reducing noise pollution and improving air quality. These benefits, combined with reduced maintenance costs, make electric buses an increasingly preferred solution for public transport networks worldwide.

Emissions reduction and environmental impact

Electric bus operation, with no direct emissions, significantly reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, over its lifecycle, an electric bus emits six times less than a bus running on fossil fuels such as diesel or gas. This environmental performance makes them the number one choice for public transport fleets.

Reduced maintenance and cost savings

The transition to electric buses also offers significant economic benefits, particularly in terms of maintenance. These vehicles require a limited number of parts to be serviced, which greatly simplifies maintenance operations and reduces costs. Compared with Natural Gas for Vehicles (NGV) and diesel buses, electric buses have the lowest maintenance costs, being almost half those of NGV buses. This saving on maintenance costs makes investing in electric buses even more attractive in the long term.

Improving comfort and quality of urban life

The introduction of electric buses into the public transport network considerably enriches the passenger experience, while improving the quality of life in urban areas. Indeed, the absence of combustion engines in these vehicles significantly reduces noise pollution, offering a more peaceful and comfortable journey. According to a 2016 RATP study, passengers express a high level of satisfaction with electric motorization, thanks in particular to a reduction in jolts and vibrations during their journey. Replacing the old fleet with these new electric vehicles reduces surrounding noise, especially at hotspots such as bus stops and terminuses. This contributes to a calmer environment for residents and passengers alike. These improvements, which go beyond simply preserving the environment, confirm the essential role of electric buses in creating more sustainable and welcoming cities.

Battery technologies and autonomy

An electric bus battery system is specifically designed to meet the vehicle's energy and power requirements, optimizing bus weight and maximizing passenger capacity.

What is the technology behind electric bus batteries?

Electrochemical cells, which come in a variety of shapes and compositions, form the basis of these battery systems. Notable advantages of lithium-ion cells include their light weight and high electronegativity, making them particularly suitable for applications in electric vehicles.

Battery modules, which comprise the assembly of cells and other components, are integrated into battery packs to form the complete system. These systems are often referred to as"intelligent batteries", thanks to the presence of the BMS (Battery Management System), which ensures their safety and optimum management. The BMS plays a vital role in monitoring voltage, cell health, and estimating charge and discharge currents, as well as battery temperature.

Autonomy and performance

Electric bus batteries can last up to 15 years, depending on the manufacturer and the recharging method used. Even at the end of their first life, these batteries retain around 80% of their initial capacity. Currently, the energy density of batteries is around 150-200 Wh/kg, enabling a range adapted to the daily needs of buses. For example, an 18-meter bus can consume between 120 and 168 kWh/100 kilometers, depending on factors such as temperature and topography.

Different battery technologies exist, each with its own specific advantages for particular applications. Ongoing research promises even more efficient technologies, likely to significantly extend battery life by increasing energy density.

Charging and maintenance solutions for electric buses

Efficient recharging infrastructure and appropriate maintenance are essential for the optimal operation of electric buses. As cities embrace the energy transition, understanding and implementing best practice in recharging and maintenance becomes a major issue. These elements not only guarantee the longevity and performance of electric buses, but also contribute to the fluidity and efficiency of public transport services. These solutions can also be used to recharge other types of vehicle of the same size, such as electric heavy goods vehicles.

Charging solutions

Charging electric buses is a key factor in their integration into public transport networks. It must be adapted to the operational constraints and energy requirements of the vehicles. Charging strategies for electric buses are generally characterized by the following elements:

• Depot recharging: Depot recharging is carried out during periods of bus inactivity, typically overnight. This method enables vehicles to be fully recharged in preparation for service the following day.
• End-of-line fast recharging: To keep buses running throughout the day, fast recharging stations can be installed at line termini. This enables buses to recharge their batteries quickly during scheduled stops.
• Opportunistic recharging: This method uses short stops during service to carry out partial recharges. It can be implemented using infrastructure such as pantographs lowered at selected bus stops.

Electric bus maintenance

As mentioned above, maintenance of electric buses is generally less complex and costly than that of internal combustion engine buses. The main points concern :

• Reduced maintenance: Electric buses have fewer moving parts and do not require oil changes, air filters or exhaust systems. This translates into lower maintenance costs and greater vehicle reliability.
• Battery management: A crucial aspect of electric bus maintenance is the management of battery health. It's important to regularly monitor the condition of batteries, optimize recharging strategies to extend their life, and plan for their replacement or recycling at the end of their useful life.
• Staff training: Switching to electric bus fleets requires maintenance staff to be properly trained in the specifics of electric vehicles, including electrical safety and battery management.

In short, integrating electric buses into public transport networks requires careful planning of recharging strategies and adaptation of maintenance practices. This ensures efficient, sustainable fleet operation, contributing to the transition to cleaner, greener urban mobility.

Integrating electric buses into public transport networks

The electrification of urban bus fleets requires careful planning and the right approach compared with traditional vehicles. For local authorities and public operators, the acquisition of electric buses is governed by the French Public Procurement Code, offering the possibility of using central purchasing bodies as an alternative to traditional calls for tender. This flexibility in the purchasing process enables an easier transition to more sustainable mobility solutions.

A smooth transition to electrification

The electrification of bus fleets represents more than a simple substitution of technology. It is part of a broader vision of energy and climate transition, underlining cities' commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and improving urban air quality. This approach is in line with global sustainable development objectives and responds to citizens' growing expectations for cleaner, more environmentally-friendly mobility.

Benefits that outweigh the challenges

While the electrification of buses may seem to present challenges, particularly in terms of initial investment and recharging infrastructure, the long-term benefits are undeniable. Electric buses offer a significant reduction in pollutant emissions and lower operating costs, thanks to lighter maintenance. What's more, they contribute to improving the quality of life in urban environments, thanks to a significant reduction in noise and vibrations.

By adopting a strategic approach and building on existing regulatory frameworks and support mechanisms, cities can overcome these challenges and make electric buses a central pillar of their public transport network. Many other players are following suit, with the development of electric commercial vehicles (new or used), tipper trucks or electric refrigerated trucks. This successful integration marks an important step towards the realization of sustainable urban mobility, beneficial for the environment, the economy and society as a whole.

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