Simulation of a City Bus Vehicle: Powertrain and Driving Cycle Sensitivity Analysis Based on Fuel Consumption Evaluation

Abstract

The transportation sector is witnessing a paradigm shift toward more sustainable and efficient propulsion systems, with a particular focus on public transportation vehicles such as buses. In this context, hybrid powertrains combining internal combustion engines with electric propulsion systems have emerged as prominent contenders due to their ability to offer significant fuel savings and CO2 emission reductions compared to conventional diesel powertrains. In this study, the simulation of a complete hybrid bus vehicle is carried out to evaluate the impact of two different hybrid powertrain architectures compared to the diesel reference one. The selected vehicle is a 12 m city bus that performs typical urban driving routes represented by real measured driving cycles. First, the vehicle model was developed using a state-of-the-art diesel powertrain (internal combustion engine) and validated against literature data. This model facilitates a comprehensive evaluation of system efficiency, fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions while incorporating the effects of driving cycle variability. Subsequently, two different hybrid configurations (parallel P1 and series) are implemented in the model and compared to predict the relative energy consumption and environmental impact, highlighting advantages and challenges.