Assessing feasibility of overnight-charging electric bus in a real-world BRT system in the context of a developing country

Abstract

Air pollution, as a significant urban problem in metropolises, has harmful impacts on societies in many aspects. According to the worn-out fleet of diesel buses and fossil fuel dependencies in Tehran, alternative fuels have become more popular in sustainable public transportation. Although Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) provide many benefits, their purchase price and required infrastructure are the main challenges for decision-makers. This paper provides a systematic approach to examining the environmental, traffic, and economic efficiency of Overnight-Charging Electric Buses (OCEBs) in Tehran, Iran. Environmental analysis shows that carbon oxide and nitrogen oxide will reduce to zero and eliminate dependence on fossil fuels. The payback period is predicted to be 7 years. Due to the better acceleration of OCEBs, the travel time, delay, and stop time are reduced by about 4%, 10.67%, and 5.15% on average, respectively, leading to a better experience for passengers and an increase in public transportation utility that cause more people to be drawn to OCEBs. The present results indicate the feasibility of OCEBs implementation as a sustainable transportation mode and can be useful in policymakers' decision-making and planning for the future public transport system.