From Santiago to Shenzhen: How Electric Buses are Moving Cities
About
Electric buses have enormous potential to improve urban transport systems. The rapid growth of battery-electric buses (BEBs) signals increasing interest in this technology as a means to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve quality of life. Cities must electrify their buses as more and more people around the world depend on buses than any other mode of public transport.
A number of global cities, from Shenzhen, China to Santiago, Chile, have already successfully grown the number of BEBs in their bus fleets. This report focuses on BEBs specifically, since not much is yet known about them as a rapidly growing transport technology. Few BEBs have gone through a full-lifecycle as of yet and new best practices are constantly emerging. What is known, however, is that BEBs are gaining ground quickly and are becoming a significant portion of the electric vehicle market.
The report details the steps cities must take to electrify their bus fleet, with recommendations on various key factors including, but not limited to:
- Bus route planning to maximize battery life;
- Finance models for upfront investment;
- Charging infrastructure; and
- Supporting policies to be considered by city governments.
A broad study concerning the electrification of public bus systems, this report can help planners and transport agencies make decisions related to BEBs as a means to reduce GHG emissions in the next decade and beyond.
As BEBs continue to expand in popularity, cities must recognize this technology as a timely solution for significantly cutting emissions from the transport sector; improving air quality; decreasing noise pollution; and reducing resource usage.
Learn More
- Continue Reading on the ITDP Blog →
- Download the “Electric Buses Are Moving Cities” infographic →
- Watch the “Electric Buses: Contracting and Procurement” webinar →
- Watch the “Electric Buses: Developing a Road Map to Scale” webinar →
Interested in learning more about this research or have a press inquiry? Email us at mobility@itdp.org.