Electrification of urban and regional bus fleets

Eurac Research's support in the evaluation of a strategic transition from diesel buses to zero emission buses

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Buses in public service are used by many persons every day and run for hundreds of kilometers a week. The transfer from diesel buses to zero emission buses allows not only the reduction of local emissions, but gives visibility of zero emission solutions, allows hands on experience to the local population, and reduces fuel and maintenance cost for the operating company. In order to evaluate which technology can be applied for which bus lines and where to position which infrastructure Eurac Research is collaborating with bus operators using a digital model considering routes, landscape, climate and time tables.

Zero-emission buses: Trento case study

Eurac Research also developed a simulation tool to define the transition scenario of the bus fleet for local public transport from endothermic motor vehicles to fully electric vehicles, for the province of Trentino and with a focus on the city of Trento.

This tool, starting from real data on the roads of the territory, the routes currently made by buses and analysis of vehicles currently on the market, allows to derive the necessary fleet of buses and the number and geographical position of the necessary charging points, considering different charging strategies. This work has been carried out within the framework of project H2020 Stardust..

Here below the study contained in the Chapter 7 of the project repor on the electric vehicle models to address both intra-urban and extra-urban needs.

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Zero-emission buses: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola case study

Within the framework of Interreg IT-CH project Mobster Eurac Research carried out a study for the transition to zero-emission electric and hydrogen buses, working on the case study of the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province. Urban and extra-urban routes operated by VCO Trasporti were selected, taking into account altitude and distance.

The study quantified the energy consumption for each route, taking into account the altitude profiles, distance and loading conditions of the buses. In addition, a time analysis of the lines was conducted, calculating the energy required for each route and estimating the number of buses needed to cover the service on a specific line on a typical day. The objective was to maximise energy efficiency and service coverage.

More information

Scientific article "Evaluation of different scenarios to switch the whole regional bus fleet of an Italian Alpine region to zero-emission buses" presented at the 35th International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition (EVS35) Oslo, Norway, June 11-15, 2022

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2024Electrification of urban and regional bus fleets

Eurac Research's support in the evaluation of a strategic transition from diesel buses to zero emission buses

2023Elettrification of navigation

Eurac Research's support in studying challenges and opportunities for companies and regions towards a sustainable ...

2022Electrification of company fleets

Eurac Research's support in studying challenges and opportunities for companies and regions towards the electrification ...

2021Laboratory test for charging stations and vehicles

Tests of charging stations, vehicle components, batteries, and full vehicles under extreme climatic conditions.

2020Monitoring of battery electric and H2 busses and duty vehicles

In order to evaluate the feasibility of zero emission vehicles within the own fleet and territory, practical ...

2020Zero emissions last mile logistics

Interventions to reduce traffic and pollution related to the delivery of goods in the city center

2020Positioning of charging infrastructures in cities and regions

Since several years Eurac Research has been working on identifying the most suitable spots for positioning of charging ...