We see electric car transition, pickup trucks, and the introduction of autonomous vehicles and Chinese cities have found electric buses save money, but in western countries for public transport operators are only starting to realise electric buses save money. Buses are built on top of bus chassis, so generally all truck manufacturers will provide their bare chassis for coach manufacturers to build on top of the chassis. There are over 460,000 electric buses in China. Europe has started replacement to electric, and the USA is just starting.

According to Bloomberg Electric Outlook in 2020, e-buses expected to be 67% by 2040.

Diesel Buses Cause Health Issues

According to the Clean Air Task force, adult exposure to diesel pollution contributes to 27,000 heart attacks, 14,500 hospitalizations and 2.4 million lost workdays each year. Evidence back 15 years ago showed that pollution from buses was a serious issue but until recently there has little economic options to reduce emissions. Electric buses provide that opportunity.

Moreover, there are nearly half a million school buses in the United States that transport more than 20 million children daily. A study in 2019 (Austin et al) showed decrease English and math skills when students were subjected to diesel bus fumes.

Contribution to Global Emissions

Along with contributing to the brown smog above many large cities, the transportation sector is responsible for nearly one-quarter of global energy-related CO2 emissions (UN Transportation Report). However, just 0.5% of the total U.S. public transit bus market consisted of electric buses at the end of 2017 compared with rates of 12-14% in Asia and Europe.

Electrifying public buses reduces costs and reduces harmful pollution.

USA to Increase Numbers of Electric Buses

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes funding to expand the availability of clean buses in communities across the country. The US Government announced $1.47 billion in competitive grant funds to help modernize bus fleets and facilities across the country. FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program provided funding for next 5 years to help transit agencies purchase and rehabilitate buses, vans, and related equipment, and build bus facilities. For Fiscal Year 2022, approximately $372 million for grants will be available under this program. The politicians say manufacturing thousands of new, American-built buses will create jobs all over the nation, offering cleaner, faster and safer rides as we move toward a better transportation future.

China is the Leader in Electric Buses

The major bus manufacturers from China include BYD and Yutong. During 2020, a total of 61,000 new energy buses were sold by Chinese bus makers out of 150,000 units total.

Bus Manufactures (Global)

For a full list of manufacturers, check out the Wikipedia Page for all of the known e-bus manufacturers.

Will Sydney Electric Buses Save Money?

NSW of Australia has committed to change its 8,000 fleet of 8,000 buses by 2030 (NSW media) and have begun the process. Key to the success is the upgrading of bus depots with fast charging, batteries and electricity network management.

Electric Bus Manufacturers

References

Clean Air Task Force, C. Schneider, Editor,Diesel Emissions: Particulate Matter-Related Health Damages, 2004, Bethesda, MD. Available from: Diesel Emissions: Particulate Matter-Related Health Damage

Bloomberg Forecast for Electric Vehicles