Optobus – A multivariable integrated electric bus evaluation method and tool for mass transit

While purchase of e-buses has accelerated in recent years, its adoption is still in its infancy, and transit agencies face technological, financial and institutional challenges. Amongst the range of technical challenges, charging infrastructure and power limitations create major barriers for evaluation of the appropriate model and type of e-bus. A significant challenge is the relatively low energy density of batteries, which means that, for a reasonable range, they have to be large, heavy and expensive. Our research will use multivariable integrated electric bus evaluation method and tool for multimodel intercomparison consisting of electric buses currently sold by various vendors. A multivariable integrated evaluation method is proposed based on a vector field evaluation, which can provide quantitative and comprehensive evaluation on multiple fields to influence electric bus purchasing outcomes. The analysis will show that significant benefits can be realized by employing a simple sizing application with multiple electric bus configurations and spatial characteristics. Such flexible design and use options will allow transit agencies to service routes of varying city driving patterns and can, therefore, enable meaningful reductions to the cost of the vehicle while ensuring service is as reliable as conventional buses.