US ELECTRIC BUS MARKET

INTRODUCTION

Buses are the workhorses of America’s transportation system, carrying millions of Americans of all ages to school, work, shopping, recreation, and other places they need to go. Buses travel on city streets and rural roads, serving every kind of community – and delivering benefits across the country.

Energy savings and reduced emissions of greenhouse gases aren’t the only benefits of buses. Buses provide a critical form of transportation to those who cannot or do not wish to drive – including children, the elderly and disabled people.

Air pollution from buses is a particular threat since buses transport large numbers of people and make many trips through densely populated areas. There are a number of ways that people are exposed to dangerous pollution from buses. This has brought upon the much-required computations of EV adoptions and public transportation integration into the EVs sector of mobility.

The market for electric buses is changing rapidly as technology improves and prices continue to fall. While EBs still suffer from increased vehicle kerb weight and higher total costs of ownership, ongoing technology development and increased production volumes should reduce these obstacles in coming years.

US ELECTRIC BUS MARKET DEVELOPMENTS AND INNOVATIONS

US ELECTRIC BUS MARKET DYNAMICS

Today, electric buses hold a clear advantage over DBs in several performance categories, particularly the reduction (or elimination) of tailpipe and GHG emissions. Electric buses may also deliver benefits in terms of energy efficiency, environmental impact, passenger comfort, and integration with renewable energy sources.

Over recent years, the uptake of electric buses into public transport networks has been slow but increasing electric buses made up 6% of new heavy-duty global bus purchases in 2012, with 5% CNG and LNG purchases, and 89% DBs and other buses.

Electrifying buses has also been an important first step towards broader adoption of heavy-duty electric vehicles, like trucks. While buses themselves account for a relatively small percentage of vehicle emissions, heavy duty vehicles as a whole are responsible for over a quarter of climate emissions from on-road transportation in the U.S.

The Electrification has recently been focusing upon the School Buses considering the high presence in the US and a potential efficiency integration market through EV Adoption. Electric school buses today have ranges long enough to cover most school bus routes. For instance, Blue Bird has come out with two electric school buses, one small and one large, both of which can drive 100 miles on one charge.

Electric buses require less maintenance than other types of alternative-fuel buses, in part because they have 30 percent fewer parts than diesel buses and no exhaust systems.

Recent advances in the range capabilities of transit buses make them an increasingly feasible option for transit agencies. Hyundai’s new electric bus can travel 180 miles on a single charge, New Flyer has a bus with a 200-mile range, and Proterra’s electric bus models can travel 200 to 350 miles.

For the following ten years, the US electric bus market is anticipated to expand dramatically. This is brought on by both the rising demand for public transportation with zero emissions and the expanding supply of electric buses available for purchase.Government incentives, technology breakthroughs, and growing public knowledge of the environmental advantages of electric buses are some of the drivers driving the US electric bus market.

The rising demand for zero-emission public transportation is anticipated to drive the US electric bus market. Electric buses are more appealing than conventional diesel buses because of government incentives that encourage towns and states to embrace them.

Electric buses have also become more dependable and effective thanks to technological developments, which has increased their appeal.The public's growing understanding of the environmental advantages of electric buses is fueling demand, in addition to government incentives and technological breakthroughs.

Electric buses are a desirable alternative for towns and governments wanting to decrease their carbon footprint because they emit no emissions and dramatically reduce air pollution.The expanding number of electric buses available for purchase is another factor driving the US electric bus market.

Electric buses are now available from a wide range of manufacturers, giving transportation authorities greater options. Due to the simplicity with which transit agencies may now switch from conventional diesel buses to electric ones, this has further strengthened the appeal of electric buses.

Overall, it is anticipated that the US electric bus market will expand dramatically over the next ten years due to government incentives, technology breakthroughs, more public awareness, and an increase in the number of electric buses available for purchase. As more towns and states switch to using electric buses for public transportation, this will offer a good outlook for the US electric bus market.

US ELECTRIC BUS MARKET SEGMENTATION

The US Electric Bus Market can be segmented into following categories for further analysis.

By EV Classification

• Battery Based
• Hybrid Based
• Fuel Cell based

By EV Vehicle Range

• Upto 200 Miles
• Above 200 Miles

By Battery Type

• Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (LI-NMC)
• Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)
• Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO)
• Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO)
• Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO)
• Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide (NCA)

By EV Battery Capacity

• Upto 200 kWh
• Above 200 kWh

By Motor Output

• Upto 250 kW
• Above 250 kW

By Regional Classification

• Western Region – USA
• Midwest Region – USA
• Northeast Region – USA
• Southern Region – USA

RECENT MARKET TECHNOLOGICAL TRENDS IN US ELECTRIC BUS MARKET

The three main components of a BEB are bus configuration, battery storage system, and charging infrastructure (also known as electric vehicle supply equipment or EVSE). BEB deployment decisions on these components are tightly interwoven. Battery sizing and charging strategy selections influence each other, as the size of the battery depends on the technology of the charging system.

Part-time electric buses may be delivered using full hybrid technology with no operational limitations. As a result, it is critical in the transition to entirely electric public transportation. As a technically mature technology, it may be enhanced further by connection and geofencing to improve the environmental and social credentials of complete hybrid buses.

Ultracapacitors can be used in hybrid systems as the energy storage system alongside an ICE or a fuel cell, and they are often desirable for this purpose as they charge quickly. However, they can also be used as the sole source of on-board energy, and can be recharged at charging stations, similar to opportunity BEBs.

Operational buses that use ultracapacitors as their sole energy-source recharge regularly throughout a route. The common charging mechanism involves a boom (pantograph) on the roof of the bus which connects with fixed catenary wires positioned above bus stops.

RECENT DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION

BYDelectric school buses will be offered in three lengths: 26.7 feet, 24.5 feet, and 22.9 feet (8.1 meters, 7.4 meters, and 7 meters). A high strength steel construction body, electronic stability control to improve handling, and an electronic braking system to provide more evenly distributed brake power are all standard safety features.

 Furthermore, BYD provides an extra degree of security with its Predictive Stop Arm, which monitors approaching traffic and alerts students as they disembark the bus when it is safe to cross.The Type A can seat up to 30 people and has an ADA liftgate that can lift 800 pounds. According to the bus manufacturer, the bus can travel up to 140 kilometers on a single charge. 

BYD electric school buses will be offered in three lengths: 26.7 feet, 24.5 feet, and 22.9 feet (8.1 meters, 7.4 meters, and 7 meters). HSM 3-point lap-shoulder belts, integrated kid seats, and portable restraints are options on BYD buses. These school bus seats are not only intended to keep children safe, but also to improve behavior, reduce bullying, and reduce driver distraction. 

BYD'selectric buses are well-known for their energy-saving capabilities and environmental friendliness. The bus has a distributed 4WD system, which allows the operator to effortlessly switch between 2WD and 4WD over diverse terrains and lower the bus's energy consumption while meeting different needs. 

The Type D school bus from BYD Motors is the latest innovation in battery-electric buses, with a range of 155 miles on a single charge. The electric bus makes the entire riding experience smooth and secure by providing top-priority safety measures, stylish design, and high-performance capabilities.

The bus has a low energy demand, collision avoidance technologies, and a 360-degree monitoring system, allowing the operator to go at slow speeds to avoid collisions with pedestrians and cyclists on the outskirts.Students are also protected on the bus with IMMI's safeguard 3-point lap-shoulder belts and integrated child seats.

New Flyer’Sllack of moving parts makes the electric bus more durable, simpler to maintain, and capable of producing high performance. The electric bus's new generation of batteries uses an active liquid cooling system to regulate temperature, improve power output, and lengthen battery life. 

Additionally, the batteries are light, simpler to maintain, waterproof, and dustproof. As a result of the manufacturer reducing the number of parts from 250 to 50 (a 90% reduction), the new NFI fleet of electric buses has fewer parts.Greater passenger capacity is made possible by the effective design, small inverters, and drive controllers, all of which also guarantee a secure ride. Its streamlined construction improves energy recovery while lowering weight and raising energy density. 

The Xcelsior CHARGE H2 produces electricity for extended-range, zero-emission transit operations using environmentally beneficial hydrogen and fuel-cell technology.Compared to conventional diesel buses, the vehicle can reduce carbon emissions by about 85 to 175 tons yearly because its sole exhaust emissions are clean water vapor. In addition, the electric bus has regenerative braking while braking, which helps to conserve energy.

GILLIG’Sbus includes a direct-drive traction motor for high-energy performance with a 3500 Nm peak torque. In addition, the bus operates on energy saved by a regenerative braking system.

With 38 seats, the bus provides all passenger conveniences for a comfortable ride, including computerized onboard displays, contactless payment methods, and free Wi-Fi. Six onboard batteries give the bus a real-world range of around 150 miles and help it run entirely on renewable energy.

 GreenPower Motorhas a 118kWh battery, the electric car has a range of up to 150 miles. The electric bus can be charged with AC level-2 at 11kW for 8 hours, with a DC fast charge at 61kW for 2 hours via a CCS connector, or at 55kW via wireless charging.

 Additionally, the rear cabin has 102 cubic feet of area for freight and a payload capacity of up to 4300 pounds. The motor controller, which receives high voltage DC electricity from the traction motor. 

US ELECTRIC BUS MARKETCOMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

The US has been part of a much larger Electric buses mobilization as part of public based adoption systems in the country as required for better adoption rates.

The use of battery electric bus (BEBs) fleets is becoming more attractive to cities seeking to reduce emissions and traffic congestion. While BEB fleets may provide benefits such as lower fuel and maintenance costs, improved performance, lower emissions, and energy security, many challenges need to be overcome to support BEB deployment.

Proterra has been one of the leading contenders and bus manufacturers in the country with more technological integration being implemented at an enhanced rate in the country.

Proterra ZX5 bus enables transit agencies to significantly reduce operating costs while delivering clean, quiet transportation to local communities across North America. It can operate upon the technological intervention of up to 329 miles on a single charge. The ZX5 features faster acceleration, industry-leading gradeability, and the most battery storage on any 40-foot electric bus.

Nova Buses has been a long-term subsidiary requirement of Volvo Buses integrated into the better part of implementing the EV buses into action in the country. The Nova Bus FSe charges in less than 6 minutes. The e-bus model was the first electric bus in the industry to receive a passing score for a full test at Altoona in June 2018.

The LFSe is a 100% electric heavy-duty transit bus, based on the proven LFS platform, and integrates powerful electric propulsion technology optimized for harsh operating conditions. The Bus has been integrated with Volvo High Voltage Li ion Batteries for better BMS control and monitoring systems.