Electric buses: Impact on scheduling and operations By Frederic Bean GIRO Inc. Maker of HASTUS
Overview Charging technologies Typical considerations Scheduling electric-buses scenarios Conclusion
Charging technologies: Pantograph Picture credit: www.siemens.com/press
Charging technologies: Induction Source: techxplore.com
Charging technologies: Battery swapping
Electric buses vs diesel Diesel Range: 400 miles Refueling: 0h05 once a day, at depot Avg public transport daily mileage per bus: 135 miles Electric bus Recharge Location Charge time Range (miles) Slow At depot 2h00 8h00 75-160 Fast End of lines (terminals) 0h05 0h10/hr in service; 4h00 at night 24-40 Very fast (tethering) Within trips 0h06/hr 2 3
Electric-bus scheduling concerns Might require more electric buses than diesel for same service Electric: Diesel: In-service time Extra off-service time Off-service time (DH, pulls, layover) Charging time Travel time to/from a charging station (if necessary)
Scheduling considerations with e-buses Autonomy (range) Modelling battery capacity and consumption rate Charging duration Modelling for different battery technologies Charging location Modelling for different charging modes Battery lifespan Avoiding fast charging outside safe interval
Scheduling diesel vs electric buses Diesel buses vehicle schedule
Scheduling diesel vs electric buses Electric buses vehicle schedule
Case 1: Scheduling electric buses now How many vehicle tasks can be operated without changes? Assuming charging at depot only
# of vehicles Case 1: Scheduling electric buses now Electric buses? Possible if enough: Autonomy to cover either peak Charging time between peaks Diesel buses Hours
Case 1: Scheduling electric buses now 1h452h00 2h15 3h45 Electric buses? Possible if enough: Autonomy to cover either peak Charging time between peaks Diesel buses Hours
Case 1: Scheduling electric buses now Autonomy: needs at least 3h45 (i.e. 40 50 miles) Assuming average speed of 10 15 mph
# of vehicles Case 1: Scheduling electric buses now Electric buses? 5h 5h15 Possible if enough: Autonomy to cover either peak Charging time between peaks Diesel buses Hours
Case 1: Scheduling electric buses now Autonomy: needs at least 3h45 (i.e. 40 50 miles) Assuming average speed of 10 15 mph Charging time: must be at most 5h00 Most manufacturers can deliver these specs Leading to a fleet composed of
Case 1: Scheduling electric buses now 35% 35% electric-vehicle fleet without modifying schedules 65%
Case 2: Scheduling electric buses next Can you operate the same service with even more electric buses, without increasing the total fleet size? Assuming: Charging at depot only Autonomy of 75 miles Charging time of 2h30
# of vehicles Case 2: Scheduling electric buses next 2h30 (charging) When battery is charged, get back operating in-service trips Hours
Case 2: Scheduling electric buses next Can you operate the same service with even more electric buses, without increasing the total fleet size? Yes, by optimizing blocks using rules that ensure: They all return to depot before running out of charge Some recharge during off-peak times, such that next block can be operated No increase in total fleet size We were able to produce a solution with 50% electric buses
Case 3: Scheduling electric buses then Can you operate with an all-electric bus fleet? Yes, by optimizing blocks using rules that ensure: They all return to depot before running out of charge They all recharge such that next block can be operated No restrictions regarding total fleet size We were able to produce an all-electric solution with only 9% more buses
Presentation Take-Aways Electric-bus technology is happening now It brings with it special considerations You can gradually introduce electric buses into your fleet Now: fair e-bus ratios achieved without scheduling changes Next: good e-bus ratios with minimal scheduling changes Then: 100% e-bus ratio with limited fleet-size increment Advanced scheduling tools can help you achieve the transition
Thank you! Any questions? Frederic Bean Senior Account Manager, Public Transport Software GIRO Inc., maker of HASTUS info@giro.ca +1 514.383.0404 /company/giro