CETE FAQs
Electric and Hybrid Buses
Although most of the questions focus on electric and/or hybrid-electric buses, the answers can often be applied to all electric vehicles.
How far (or how long) will the bus operate on a single charge?
What are the benefits of operating electric buses?
Do electric buses have transmissions?
How long do batteries last?
Can cells in a battery pack be replaced?
Are components in an electric bus easy to replace?
Is an electric vehicle more energy efficient than an ICE vehicle?
Can you get electrocuted by riding in an electric vehicle when it floods?
How fast can an electric bus go?
How long does it take to charge the batteries?
How much does it cost to charge the batteries?
What is a hybrid-electric bus?
What kind of batteries are normally used on electric buses today?
What is a fuel cell bus?
Do electric buses have the same accessories as other types of buses?
Are electric buses more expensive to purchase?
Is special training required for drivers and mechanics?
What is regenerative breaking?
Can electric buses operate up hills?
Are all hybrids utilized for range extension?
What is the difference between an electric bus with an AC motor and one with a DC motor?
What happens if you run out of energy before returning home?
What about increased emissions through additional power generation necessary to charge electric vehicles?
What is the difference between "grid connected" and "non-grid connected" electric vehicles?
What is better...conductive charging or inductive charging?
What is a thermal management system?
No, although some have a transaxle system. Because there is no transmission, acceleration is "seamless"; no jerking or noise....just nice and smooth. |
Yes. Most electric bus battery packs contain a number (up to 250) two-volt cells. When one cell is damaged, it can impact performance battery and battery life. With proper preventative battery maintenance, the damaged cell can be identified and replaced. |
Although an electric bus operates like a diesel bus, the manner is which an electric bus is driven has a great impact on the vehicle's range. Training, therefore, is very important. However, it is even more important to ensure that the operators maintain the driving habits necessary to maximize range once the training is completed. This includes gentle acceleration and utilizing the regenerative breaking system as much as possible.
Maintenance training on electric buses is extremely important. Electric buses are not any more complicated than buses with internal combustion engines, but they are different. An alternative fueled bus utilizes all of the same components as a diesel bus with the exception that the fuel is different (and some fuel delivery components). An electric bus utilizes a propulsion system that is unlike any other motor vehicle. Thus, understanding the unique elements of electric propulsion systems is critical to ensure dependable operation. |
Most electric buses have the torque necessary to operate up most hills that conventional buses can traverse. However, range is normally reduced when an electric bus operates up a steep grade. Thus, the terrain that an electric bus is operated in becomes very important in terms of range...and life of the batteries. |
What about increased emissions through additional power generation necessary to charge electric vehicles? |
Electric vehicles do not pollute at the source. Energy production does require fuel and, as such, there could be additional emissions from a power plant to produce the electricity for electric vehicles. However, these emissions are extremely small and dwarf the savings in emissions by operating electric vehicles. In a study completed in 1994, it was determined that total savings in emissions by operating electric vehicles exceed 98%, even when including the increased power plant emissions for providing electricity to the electric vehicle as well as emissions caused by the manufacture of the vehicle, batteries, and recycling of batteries.
And, of course, power plants are not located where people live and work. Additionally, it is easier to scrub for emissions at the relatively low number of power plants then the millions of motor vehicles traveling our streets. It should be noted that the way the electricity is created will play a major role in determining this percentage. Clearly, power generated from water or wind will result in a 100% reduction in emissions. And one other point must be made. Power plants which operate on coal or similar types of fuels have made great strides to reduce emissions. It is much easier to maintain and police the few power plants then the millions of cars, trucks, buses, etc., used by the public. |
Both systems are safe and will provide efficient energy transmission. Inductive charging, which transfers energy across a magnetic field (reducing no direct metal-to-metal contact) is favored by automobile manufacturers such as General Motors and Toyota. Inductive chargers use a paddle that is easily slipped into a port, normally on the front of the car.
Conductive chargers are used by many other automobile manufacturers and use the more traditional electrical plug concept. For electric vehicles to become more viable, a single type of charging connection will need to be agreed on. |