FLEET & COMMERCIAL
FLEET & COMMERCIAL
“ Once the grid connection is made , significant investment is still needed at the depot or roadside — where opportunity charging is a viable option — to install the charging system required for the bus fleet ,” says Greener .
‘ Opportunity charging ’ is a term that we ’ ve not heard much in the EV sector , yet it ’ s a key principle of warehouse operations and other vehicular processes that has loosely been carried over to the transport sector . The term is perhaps the best way to explain the placement of public charging stations at spaces like gyms and supermarkets , as well as being leveraged for dedicated electric forecourts .
From a public perspective , opportunity charging could be the key to allowing cities to electrify on a large scale , but , for these services , must be in place before areas can be switched . The solution must also work handin-hand with route planning to ensure that trips are efficient while also carrying the most individuals within suitable timeframes .
“ When it comes to journey planning , it ’ s safe to say that the majority of domestic cars have relatively short distances to travel on a daily basis , and time in-between journeys for potential charging . Selecting the right car for domestic use is therefore a simple calculation ,” says Greener .
“ Bus operations are entirely different , requiring careful planning and flexibility . Choosing the right bus , with the right battery capacity to complete the daily operational cycle , is a complex calculation — especially when one factors in how batteries degrade over time , and bus operators typically keep their vehicles in service for between 12 and 15 years .”
“CHOOSING THE RIGHT BUS WITH THE RIGHT BATTERY CAPACITY TO COMPLETE THE DAILY OPERATIONAL CYCLE IS A COMPLEX CALCULATION ”
MATT GREENER , DIRECTOR , ARRIVA GROUP ZERO-EMISSION INSTITUTE
74 [ March 2023 ] EVMAGAZINE . COM