Planning & Equipment
Electromobility brings new challenges that must be met. Detailed prior planning is essential to operate electric buses on scheduled services, as well as training of workshop staff and drivers. Come and look at the various aspects that must be considered.
Electrifying bus routes in urban areas was a priority, as levels of emissions in these areas are generally higher due to higher traffic density compared to rural areas.
Routes that go through these densified areas are therefore analysed during the initial planning phase to reduce emission levels by using electric buses.
However, running 100% electric vehicles in our fleet brings a whole host of new operating challenges.
Standard buses can be used on scheduled lines all day long, whereas electric buses have operating constraints that reduce this time range and make us review the fleet deployment plan.
Currently, the average range of electric buses is approximately 200km before they need recharging. However, this depends on how the vehicle is used.
Significant factors that affect the batteries used and the range are, for example:
- the route’s topography
- average speed
- traffic
- the driver’s style of driving
- electricity consumption for extra appliances (heating, air-conditioning etc.)
- the temperature outside
The vehicle must be recharged when used from morning until evening. This can be done at the line’s terminus or in one of Voyages Emile Weber Group’s depots. Once it has been recharged, the vehicle is ready to get back on the road.
The recharging cycles must also be included in the planning process, as power supply and the amount of electricity available in the depots is limited. Intelligent management of the charge status allows requirements to be checked to keep an overview of the situation to avoid a vehicle being immobilised if it has not been recharged.
Training of workshop staff is just as important as vehicle deployment planning. Staff training is carefully planned in order to maintain and take care of this new technology. Specialists came to Canach to train staff on both theory and practical aspects.
The drivers must also be trained in how to drive the new vehicles correctly. Special attention must be given to the predictive style of driving and maximal recuperation. Thanks to this process, the battery charge status of the vehicle has been increased. Driving style is a key factor that affects electric vehicles’ range.