Assessing cost-effectiveness of alternative bus technologies: Evidence from US transit agencies

This paper aims to analyze overall economic and environmental performances of alternative bus powertrains by focusing on U.S. active fleets in different urban contexts. We define a life cycle cost model related to bus technologies by referring to real-world data of 256 transport operators, which provide more than 80% of total vehicle revenue miles produced by urban transit mode across the U.S. in 2019. The proposed method includes some service parameters that significantly affect the supply cost (e.g., service speed, annual mileage), on which we perform scenario and sensitivity analysis. Results show that electric buses are cost-competitive in large cities and metropolises, where urban bus routes are characterized by a high level of congestion, high service frequency, and the highest marginal impact of harmful emissions. In towns and suburban areas, where bus routes are longer and faster, full electric technology still faces both economic and technical barriers.

Automated summary

This paper analyzes the economic and environmental performances of alternative bus powertrains in different urban contexts in the U.S. It utilizes real-world data from 256 transport operators to develop a life cycle cost model for bus technologies, and includes scenario and sensitivity analysis. The results show that electric buses are cost-competitive in congested cities, but face barriers in towns and suburban areas with longer and faster bus routes.