Electric bus charging
Bus operators, in conjunction with local authorities and regulators, have been trialling low and zero emission buses over the last few years.
The UK is now in a position where both single and double deck electric buses are viable for many routes, particularly those in urban and ultra-urban environments.
Developing electrical bus charging infrastructure is complex, with multiple options such as:
- Classic charging - Multi MVA connections are being used but are costly for the operators, time consuming and causes disruption to the communities near bus garages
- Timed connections are being used to reduce costs, with less disruption reduced timescales
- Pantograph - opportunity charging solutions including the buses have only been trialled in Manchester with Volvo and require loss of risk mitigation strategies
- Co-location of batteries being considered with some small projects and could be used for stop gaps once an initial connection has been made
Electric bus charging involves several key issues:
Costs
- Electric buses can cost twice as much as conventional buses
- Electrification requires additional support from local authorities and grants
- Charging infrastructure is regarded as expensive
- Route contracts are typically 5-7years which is not long enough to fund 20 - 40 year asset
Technologies
- AC or DC charging
- Some electric bus designs require significantly more power than others
- Format War – Opportunity charging or charge at bus garage?
- Bus depot supplied at Low Voltage or High Voltage?
Operations
- Night buses have little time to charge and may require additional buses or charging at higher power
- Electric buses require 22KW, 44KW or 100KW charging and it can be difficult to manage multiple options in space-constrained garages
- Bus garage layout is constrained and not designed for charging infrastructure
- Bus operators and manufacturers have little knowledge of electricity infrastructure and delivering large infrastructure projects
- Bus garages often have a minimal electricity connection, typically a 200 - 300 Amp supply
Bus electrification – our solutions
We offer a range of solutions via our Power as a Service offer:
Consulting & Design: Strategy development, site specific solution development including design, smart charging, renewables and battery storage integration
Build: Programme management of DNO interface, Independent Connection Providers, HV and LV networks, chargers and commissioning
Operations, Inspections and Maintenance: Private HV and LV networks EV chargers
Asset financing: Fully funded solution including, DNO connection, battery storage (if relevant), high voltage, low voltage networks and chargers