Search Results (73)

Urban bus fleets worldwide face urgent decarbonization requirements, with Germany targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. Current electrification research often addresses individual components—energy consumption, scheduling, or charging infrastructure—in isolation, lacking integrated frameworks that capture complex system interactions. This study presents “eflips-X”, a modular, open-source simulation framework that integrates energy consumption modeling, battery-aware block building, depot–block assignment, terminus charger placement, depot operations simulation, and smart charging optimization within a unified workflow. The framework employs empirical energy models, graph-based scheduling algorithms, and integer linear programming for depot assignment and smart charging. Applied to Berlin’s bus network—Germany’s largest—three scenarios were evaluated: maintaining existing blocks with electrification, exclusive depot charging, and small batteries with extensive terminus charging. Electric fleets need 2.1–7.1% additional vehicles compared to diesel operations, with hybrid depot-terminus charging strategies minimizing this increase. Smart charging reduces peak power demand by 49.8% on average, while different charging strategies yield distinct trade-offs between infrastructure requirements, fleet size, and operational efficiency. The framework enables systematic evaluation of electrification pathways, supporting evidence-based planning for zero-emission public transport transitions. Full article

This paper addresses the critical need for detailed electricity and peak power demand maps for urban public transportation vehicles. Current approaches often rely on overly general assumptions, leading to considerable errors in specific applications or, conversely, overly specific measurements that limit generalisability. We aim to present a comprehensive data-driven methodology for analysing energy consumption within a large urban agglomeration. The method leverages a unique and extensive set of real-world performance data, collected over two years from onboard recorders on all public bus lines in the Capital City of Warsaw. This large dataset enables a robust probabilistic analysis, ensuring high accuracy of the results. For this study, three representative bus lines were selected. The approach involves isolating inter-stop trips, for which instantaneous power waveforms and energy consumption are determined using classical mathematical models of vehicle drive systems. The extracted data for these sections is then characterised using probability distributions. This methodology provides accurate calculation results for specific operating conditions and allows for generalisation with additional factors like air conditioning or heating. The direct result of this paper is a detailed urban map of energy demand and peak power for public transport vehicles. Such a map is invaluable for planning new traffic routes, verifying existing ones regarding energy consumption, and providing a reliable input source for strategic charger deployment analysis along the route. Full article

Air-pollution-related issues, including the rise in carbon dioxide emissions, require, among others, solutions that include using electric vehicles supplied by the energy obtained from renewable sources. These solutions also include the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging. However, the existing systems mostly employ independent subsystems (such as subsystems for the control of electric vehicle chargers, subsystems for the control of smart battery storage, etc.), leading to hardware redundancy, software complexity, increased hardware costs, and communication link complexity. An architecture of a system for remotely controlling a renewable-energy-source-powered sustainable electric vehicle charging station, which overcomes these deficiencies, is presented in this paper. Consideration is also given to the sizes and combinations of different parts (renewable sources, batteries, chargers, etc.) for various purposes (households, replacing current gas stations, big parking spaces in shopping centers, public garages, etc.). The ability to integrate a wide range of features into one system helps to optimize the use of several subsystems, including the ones that control electric vehicle chargers remotely, smart storage battery remote control, smart electricity meter remote control, and fiscal cash register remote control, creating a sustainable and economically efficient solution. In this manner, consumers of electric vehicles will have easier access to renewable-energy-powered sustainable charging stations. This helps to reduce the amount of air pollution and its harmful effects, including climate change, by promoting the use of electric vehicles that are powered by renewable energy sources. The energy independence and sustainability of the station were considered in such a way that the owner of the station achieves maximum economic benefits. Full article

In light of the drawbacks of using fossil fuel, this paper investigates the competition between geographically spread charge point operators for future battery electric long-haul trucks along one of the busiest highways in Sweden. This is achieved using an agent-based model where trucks try to charge for a low price and still avoid queues in order to complete their transport mission. The charging need for a typical day at full electrification is derived from data from the Swedish Transport Administration. This typical day is simulated several times and in between these iterations the charge point operators adjust their prices and number of chargers, aiming to increase their profit. After a sufficiently long time of competition, a quasi-equilibrium is reached where, for example, prices and queueing times can be studied. The goal of the study is to estimate conditions for trucks and charge point operators in a future public fast-charging market. Assuming a price for electricity of 0.08 EUR/kWh, the results indicate that a system with low queuing problems is attainable with a mean price of 0.27 EUR/kWh or lower for public fast charging. It is also found that the behaviour of haulage companies, as a collective, can affect the future fast charging market to a great extent. If the hauliers are price-sensitive, they will be offered a low mean price, down to 0.11 EUR/kWh, but with queues, while if they are queue-sensitive, there will be almost no queues, but they will pay more to charge. Full article

The transition from combustion vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) is critical for mitigating climate change. As the global leader in the EV market, China has been propelled by government policies, market dynamics, and public awareness. As sentiment is fundamental to human communication, however, existing research lacks a systematic examination of the extent to which public environmental affect influences EV adoption at the macro level, particularly in the presence of government interventions and market strategies. To address this gap, we construct a novel affect index using a CNN deep learning model to extract environmental affect (positive, negative, and neutral) from Weibo posts between 2014 and 2023. Employing monthly EV market share as the dependent variable, we incorporate affect indices as key independent variables, alongside control variables such as government subsidy reductions, price levels, and other marketing strategies. A time-series cointegration model is applied to assess the long-term impact of environmental affect on EV sales. Empirical results reveal that only positive environmental affect has a significant and positive impact on EV adoption, whereas key industry factors, including subsidies, charger availability, patent activity, and price disparities, also play crucial roles. These findings highlight the growing influence of public awareness in shaping the EV market transition from government-driven to market-driven growth. Our study reconciles conflicting findings in prior research and provides actionable insights for policymakers and marketers seeking to foster sustainable EV adoption. Full article

Grid capacity constraints present a prominent challenge in the construction of ultra-fast charging (UFC) stations. Active load management (ALM) and battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are currently two primary countermeasures to address this issue. ALM allows UFC stations to install larger-capacity transformers by utilizing valley capacity margins to meet the peak charging demand during grid valley periods, while BESSs rely more on energy storage batteries to solve the gap between the transformer capacity and charging demand This paper proposes a four-quadrant classification method and defines four types of schemes for UFC stations to address grid capacity constraints: (1) ALM with a minimal BESS (ALM-Smin), (2) ALM with a maximal BESS (ALM-Smax), (3) passive load management (PLM) with a minimal BESS (PLM-Smin), and (4) PLM with a maximal BESS (PLM-Smax). A generalized comparison framework is established as follows: First, daily charging load profiles are simulated based on preset vehicle demand and predefined charger specifications. Next, transformer capacity, BESS capacity, and daily operational profiles are calculated for each scheme. Finally, a comprehensive economic evaluation is performed using the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and internal rate of return (IRR). A case study of a typical public UFC station in Tianjin, China, validates the effectiveness of the proposed schemes and comparison framework. A sensitivity analysis explored how grid interconnection costs and BESS costs influence decision boundaries between schemes. The study concludes by highlighting its contributions, limitations, and future research directions. Full article

Urban public space faces increasing challenges due to the accelerating impacts of climate change, necessitating a paradigm shift in how cities adapt their built environments. This paper presents a case study on integrating Nature-based Solutions(NbSs) with urban infrastructure, focusing on the design and development of Urban Oasis, a modular and multi-sensory urban furniture system. Urban Oasis functions as a climate adaptation tool, incorporating rain gardens to manage stormwater, mitigate urban heat island effects, and enhance biodiversity while integrating smart features such as climate sensors, irrigation systems, lighting, speakers, and electric vehicle chargers. Through a practice-based design methodology, the study explores how transdisciplinary collaboration can inform the development of adaptive, resilient, and equitable urban interventions. The findings demonstrate the potential of NbS-integrated urban infrastructure to address the complexities of climate adaptation while enhancing social, ecological, and technological resilience. The results, validated through an integrated design checklist, contribute to ongoing discussions on urban design frameworks, emphasizing a multi-layered and systemic approach that intertwines architecture, social innovation, multi-species design, and sensory engagement to reimagine public space for future climate resilience. Full article

This comprehensive state-of-the-art literature review investigates the status of the electric vehicle (EV) market share and the key factors that affect EV adoption with a focus on the shared vision of vehicle electrification and the smart city movement. Investigating the current scenarios of EVs, this study observes a rapid increase in the number of EVs and charging stations in different parts of the world. It reports that people’s socio-economic features (e.g., age, gender, income, education, vehicle ownership, home ownership, and political affiliation) significantly influence EV adoption. Moreover, factors such as high driving range, fuel economy, safety technology, financial incentives, availability of free charging stations, and the capacity of EVs to contribute to decarbonization emerge as key motivators for EV purchases. The literature also indicates that EVs are predominantly used for short-distance travel and users commonly charge their vehicles at home. Most users prefer fast chargers and maintain a high state of charge (SOC) to avoid unforeseen situations. Despite the emergent trend, there is a disparity in charging infrastructure supply compared to the growing demand. Thus, there is a pressing need for more public charging stations to meet the surging charging demand. The integration of smart charging stations equipped with advanced technologies to optimize charging patterns based on energy demand, grid capacity, and people’s demand can help policymakers leverage the smart city movement. This paper makes valuable contributions to the literature by presenting a conceptual framework articulating the factors of EV adoption, outlying their role in achieving smart cities, suggesting policy recommendations to integrate EVs into smart cities, and proposing suggestions for future research directions. Full article

Electrification of private cars is a key mechanism for reducing transport emissions and achieving net zero. Simultaneously, the development of public electric vehicle (EV) charging networks is essential for an equitable transition to EVs. This paper develops and analyses an extensive, nationally representative dataset of EV-charging sessions taking place on a key public charging network in Scotland between 2022 and 2024 to gain insights that can support the development of public charging infrastructure. Data were collated from 2786 chargers and analysed to establish a detailed characterisation of the network’s organisation and utilisation. The network considered is government-owned and was fundamental to the Scottish rollout of public chargers. Key insights from our analysis of the developed dataset include quantified disparities between urban and rural charger use-time behaviours, with the most rural areas tending to have charging activity more concentrated towards the middle of the day; an analysis of the numbers of deployed chargers in areas of greater/lesser deprivation; utilisation disparities between charger technologies, with 35% of slower chargers being used at least once daily compared to 86% of rapid/ultra-rapid chargers; and demonstration that charging tariff introductions resulted in a 51.3% average decrease in sessions. The implications of our findings for policy and practice are also discussed. Full article

Catenary-powered networks are expected to play a pivotal role in urban energy transition, due to the larger deployment of electric public transport, in-motion-charging (IMC) vehicles, and catenary-backed electric vehicle chargers. However, there are technical challenges that must be overcome to ensure the successful utilization of existing networks without compromising vehicle performance or compliance with network standards. This paper aims to validate the use of battery energy storage systems (BESS) built from second-life batteries as a means of retrofitting catenary-powered traction networks. The objective is to increase the network robustness without creating a negative impact on its overall operational efficiency. Consequently, more electrification projects can be implemented using the same network infrastructure without substantial modifications. Furthermore, a power management scheme is presented which allows the voltage and current range allowed in the catenary network and the BESS maximum charging rate to be controlled from user-defined values. The proposed control scheme is adept at customizing the BESS size for the specific application under consideration. Validation is performed on a case study of the trolleybus system in Bologna, Italy. Full article

This study focuses on the transformation of Jaguar XJ40 vehicles to electric power, with the main equipment being a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, an on-board charger (OBC) system, and a battery management system (BMS). The process involves integrating the PMSM with the vehicle’s existing transmission system. This research compares the driving range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) using different testing methods under the same conditions: simulation, dynamometer (dino), and actual on-road testing. Based on Raminthra’s public roads (RITA drive cycle), one drive cycle covers 7.64 km in 11.25 min. The simulation test by MATLAB/SIMULINK R2016a predicts a driving distance of up to 282.14 km. The dino test, using a chassis dynamometer to simulate driving conditions while the vehicle remains stationary, indicates a driving distance of 264.68 km. In contrast, actual on-road tests show a driving distance of 259.09 km, accounting for real-world driving conditions, including variations in speed, road types, weather, and traffic. The motor achieves 95% efficiency at 2400 rpm and 420 Nm torque. The simulated distance differs from the actual road distance by approximately 8.17%, suggesting reasonable accuracy of the model. Full article

This paper investigates the competition between two charge point operators at the same site for future battery electric long-haul trucks. The charge point operators are located along one of the busiest highways in Sweden. The investigation is carried out using an agent-based model where trucks select charge point operators based on charging prices and the length of any queues, while charge point operators adjust their prices and number of chargers to improve their profitability. The study aims to predict conditions for trucks and charge point operators in a future public fast-charging market. Our findings indicate the potential for a well-functioning future public fast-charging market with small queuing problems, high utilisation, and reasonable prices for public fast charging. Assuming a price for electricity of EUR 0.08/kWh and a minimum profit margin of EUR 0.001/kWh for charge point operators, the findings indicate that the price level outside rush hours will be low, approximately EUR 0.1/kWh. The prices during rush hours will likely be much higher, but it is harder to predict the value due to uncertainties of how charge point operators will act in the future market. Still, from the model result, the price during rush hours is suggested to be just above EUR 0.5/kWh, with an average charging price of around EUR 0.15/kWh. It also seems likely that it is profitable for charge point operators to build enough chargers so that charging queues are short. Full article

In Thailand, diesel buses are notorious for their poor energy efficiency and contribution to air pollution. To combat these issues, battery electric buses (BEBs) have emerged as a promising alternative. However, their high initial costs have posed challenges for fleet management, especially for agencies such as the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). This study aims to revolutionize BEB fleet management by developing an energy model tailored to the BMTA’s needs. The methodology consists of two crucial steps: analyzing BMTA bus routes and designing fleet management and charging systems. Through this process, the study seeks to determine the maximum number of BEBs that can be operated on each route with the fewest chargers possible. The results reveal exciting possibilities. Within the city bus landscape, two out of five BMTA bus routes show potential for transitioning to BEBs, provided they meet a maximum energy requirement of 200 kWh every two rounds. This analysis identifies routes ripe for BEB adoption while considering the limitations of battery size. In the next step, the study unveils a game-changing strategy: a maximum of 13 BEBs can operate on two routes with just four chargers requiring 150 kW each. This means fewer chargers and more efficient operations. Plus, the charging profile peaks at 600 kW from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., showing when and where the fleet needs power the most. However, the real eye-opener? Significant energy savings of THB 10.44 million per year compared to diesel buses, with an initial investment cost savings of over 37%. These findings underscore the potential for BEB fleet management to revolutionize public transportation and save money in the long run. However, there is more work to be done. The study highlights the need for real-time passenger considerations, the development of post-service charging strategies, and a deeper dive into total lifetime costs. These areas of improvement promise even greater strides in the future of sustainable urban transportation. Full article

This paper highlights the attempts made by the government to integrate electromobility in Mexico, despite not having a well-defined National Electric Mobility Strategy, and compares the advances, challenges and future opportunities of electromobility with other countries with similar conditions in terms of the public policy, the evolution of the electric vehicles market, the charging infrastructure, incentives and legal framework, and diffusion channels. The results showed that Mexico has made partial advances in the infrastructure, production and exportation of electric vehicles, consumer incentives and project implementation. However, the country requires strengthening strategies on the economic incentives for the user and industry, homologation of chargers, training of personnel specialised in electric vehicles, handling and destination of batteries, and defining its National Electric Mobility Strategy. As a way forward, our study suggests comparing the electromobility strategies of other countries and understanding the key aspects that might enable the successful introduction of electric vehicles. Full article

The aging of supercapacitors (SCs) depends on several factors, with temperature being one of the most important. When this is high, degradation of the electrolyte occurs. The impurities generated in its decomposition reduce the accessibility of the ions to the porous structure on the surface of the electrode, which reduces its capacity and increases its internal resistance. In some applications, such as electric vehicles whose storage system consists of SCs, fast chargers, which supply very high power, are used. This can lead to an increase in temperature and accelerated aging of the cells. Therefore, it is important to know how the temperature of the SCs evolves in these cases and what parameters it depends on, both electrical and thermal. In this contribution, mathematical formulae have been developed to determine the evolution of the temperature in time and its maximum value during the transient state. The formulae for obtaining the mean and maximum temperature, once the thermal steady state (TSS) has been reached, are also shown, considering that the charger cells are recharged from the grid at a constant current. Based on this formulation, the thermal analysis of a specific case is determined. Full article