Presentation on Electric Bus

By. Suresh A Pawar

AGM(TE)

Fleet Composition of Buses

Type of Fuel Type of Buses No’s of buses

CNG

MIDI Buses 486

Single Decker 1904

AC Buses 261

Total 2651

DIESELSingle Decker Buses 1030

Double Decker Buses 120

Total 1150

Total no. of Depots = 27

Central Workshop = 1

Total Fleet of BEST buses = 3801

Initiative Taken by BEST to Reduce Pollution

The compressed natural gas has received a great deal of

attention in reducing the emissions in 1990.

1st CNG bus manufactured by Ashok Leyland was

introduced in india in 1997 by BEST. After initial

experience and substantial saving in the fuel cost and

reduction in emission's BEST has increased CNG bus

fleet up to 2651 buses which is 70% of the total fleet.

BEST had carried out retro fitment of 720 diesel buses

in to CNG buses in 2009-2010.

Initiative Taken by BEST to Reduce Pollution

25 no’s Hybrid electric buses will be inducted in to

BEST’s fleet for BKC operation. These buses are

being procured by MMRDA under FAME scheme.

303 EURO IV Diesel buses will be inducted into

undertakings fleet in March 2017.

Taking into the consideration of Zero emission,

BEST has placed an order for procurement of 6 no’s

Electric buses. These buses are expected by July

2017

Need of Electric Buses Fossil fuel stock is limited and it will not last long

Consumption of Fossil fuel creates environmental issues

Electricity required for charging of Electric Buses can be generated from renewal energy sources like Solar, Wind & Hydro

Electric Buses are emission free buses and contributes towards green environment

Electric Bus type suitable for City Operation Type of buses suitable for city operation – Non AC MIDI buses with seating capacity in the range of

25 – 34. Non AC Single decker buses with seating capacity upto 45 Due to higher fare limited patronage of passenger is

noticed on AC buses. Particularly AC bus services are used by office going people hence the travelling is unidirectional.

Full utilization of AC electrical buses for passenger is not possible. If at all AC electrical buses are to be used it should be on the gross cost operating model, which will require more funding by DHI.

Operating Range and Charging Facility In Metropolitan cities the average vehicle utilization is in

the range of 175 to 200 kms per day. The operating range of the electrical buses for

Metropolitan cities should be 150 – 200 kms. In Metro cities all buses are stabled in the allocated depot

in the night, hence charging facility should be at one depot only where these buses are allocated.

The buses will be available in the depot for 4 – 6 hours in the night hence slow charging facility i.e. Full charging in 4 hrs. is recommended.

The electrical buses should be with Onboard charging facility.

Considering the time required for charging, for each two buses one charging point should be provided.

Challenges in operating Electric BusesIssues Methodologies to resolve the issue

Operating Range In city operation average vehicle utilization is in the range of 175 to 200 KMS

Charging Facility In city operation all buses are stabled in respective depots during the night hence charging facility only in depot is sufficient

Charging Infrastructure

In each depot electric sub stations are already installed for operating CNG stations. Same infrastructure can be used for charging of the Electric Buses.BEST is already in the business of Electricity Distribution.

Charging Time Buses are available in night time for 4 to 6 hours hence initially slow chargers are preferred.

Adoption of Technology

BEST has already adopted latest technology of BS III & BS IV and also CNG technology. BEST has modern maintenance facility available at depot and central workshop.

Operating Models

As the operating conditions differs from STU to STU and constraint for hiring of buses it is suggested to devise the scheme with following operating models.

1. Capex Model

2. Opex Model

3. Gross Cost Model

Necessity of Capex Model

In Opex model electrical buses will be maintained exclusively by operator.

Experience in technology and maintenance of electrical buses will be gained by operator and not by STU.

In recent future use of electrical buses will be increased in many fold. Even metropolitan cities may be asked to run only electrical buses. To face such challenges STU should be equipped with technology of electrical buses. This objective can be achieved only through Capex model and not by Opex model.

Training To Adopt New Technology Technology of electrical buses is totally new to the

STU, hence it is necessary to impart training on electrical bus technology to all technical officers and staff of STU.

By gaining knowledge on electrical bus technology it would be easier for STU to maintain these buses satisfactorily. This would further help in adopting electrical buses on larger scale

Submission Vehicles pollute more when they run in low speed

hence electric buses are needed more for intra city operation rather than inter city operation.

For wider utilization of Electric buses non AC electric buses are preferred

Funding under Capex, Opex as well as gross cost operating model shall be made available to STUs to select the best suitable operating model considering their operating constraints.