Electric Buses: Green Public Transport or THE Public Transport?

Electric buses are not just good for the environment; they may actually be more suited to the role.

The increasing urgency for greener modes of public transport has seen the electric bus take centre stage as a potential solution, but could electric public transport be superior to conventional diesel engines even beyond their environmental benefits?

China moved closer to urban dependence on the electric bus in March 2009, with the introduction of a new fleet of Ankai electric buses to Shanghai. Although intended to lower air pollution levels, passengers have noted additional features of the buses that make them preferable to diesel alternatives – a common find in cities around the world. Electric public transport is beginning to prove itself as more than an environmental alternative to diesel vehicles; in fact, it may actually be more suited to the role the vehicle performs.

Electric Bus Advantages

The electric engine does not result in a bus that is simply more environmentally friendly yet of a lower quality, in fact the overall performance is arguably improved. In addition to their main quality of a reduction in air pollution due to the lack of emissions, electric transport has proven itself adept at ascending steep hills en route, making the electric tram ever popular in San Francisco.

The electric engine causes far less vibration throughout the vehicle, making for a more comfortable journey for those on board without the ‘rattling’ often experienced when a bus is at lights or a stop. A reduction is vibration also increases the life and reduces maintenance requirements of the bus or tram, making it a cost-effective option for operators.

Although the initial introduction of an electric transport system and fleet can be costly, as a long-term mode of public transport trolley buses are surprisingly cost-effective in terms of lifespan and upkeep.

One of the most common causes of approval for the electric bus is its lack of noise. The electric buses are noticeably quiet, lowering noise pollution and increasing comfort for those onboard.

Regenerative braking demonstrated with the electric bus means that the motor acts as a generator, channeling excess energy back into the battery and wires of the bus. Diesel buses would see this energy expelled as friction during braking, meaning that the electric bus saves around 30% of energy through this difference alone.

The necessary infrastructure associated with the presence of electric buses in a city contributes to their eco-friendly image around the area and reinforces the notion that the system is viable as a permanent one. Arnhem in the Netherlands saw use of local buses increase by 17%, an encouraging reflection of general public support for convenient green transport alternatives.

Electric Trams: Disadvantages

A similar alternative to the bus would be the tram. However one of the most obvious disadvantages of the modern tram is its confinement to a set route by the wires or tracks. In the case of a diversion en route, the tram is faced with limited alternative to an area, alarming in the case of a bomb or safety threat ahead. Additionally a new tram route would have to involve heavy construction work and large-scale traffic disruption.

The Future for Electric Buses

Hino, a division of Toyota are currently testing wireless electric buses using electromagnetic inductive charging technology, the method used to charge objects such as the electric toothbrush. Inductive charging sees the embedding of induction coils into the surface of the road, which will reverberate power to the passing bus and can be stored in the vehicle’s batteries. The main advantage of this ideology is that the electric bus will not be required to stop its operation in order to be recharged, yet it will be charged with far stronger power than if relying on a battery.

Alternative charging systems for electric buses would include rapid charging systems that could be installed at specific bus stops. The myth that an electric battery would not have a sufficient charge for the job is simply not true and would be no different from a current diesel bus having to use a filling station at the bus depo.

Inherent installation costs associated with this method of powering buses will need to be reduced and further justified so they can begin to replace traditional versions. The cost of purchasing a fleet of electric buses can also be very costly compared to a fleet diesel. However as mentioned earlier the running costs are far lower and now developers’ sights are pointing in the right direction to evolve the electric bus still further for its role in the future.