The Role of Bus Traffic Prioritization in Optimizing Battery Size and Reducing the Costs of Electric Buses

Approximately half of the new EU buses are zero-emission. However, electric buses (BEBs) are highly sensitive to traffic conditions because their battery capacity determines their effective operational range. The primary objective of this article is to examine the influence of traffic conditions on the operation of electric buses in urban transportation systems, as well as the associated economic and managerial implications. Particular attention is given to the thesis that prioritizing BEB traffic in urban transport systems can reduce the need for larger, more expensive batteries, thereby lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO). Moreover, congestion limits the range of feasible battery technologies, such as excluding the use of lighter, longer-lasting lithium-titanium-oxide batteries (LTO), which could otherwise be applied under optimal traffic conditions. Traffic congestion also necessitates the deployment of additional vehicles to maintain service reliability, further increasing system cost. The analysis incorporates theoretical analysis, simulation analysis, and vehicle real operation data analysis. The results demonstrate that current efforts to maximize the battery capacity used in buses are not optimal from both cost efficiency and environmental impact perspectives. The impact of traffic conditions on electric buses varies depending on the specific charging methods used. Road traffic conditions have the most negligible impact on In Motion Charging electric buses. The findings have also demonstrated that road conditions are a significant cost-driving factor affecting the total costs of purchasing and operating electric buses.