The economics of public transport electrification: When does infrastructure investment matter?

Kelvin Say, Felix Gabriel Brown and Zsuzsanna Csereklyei

Applied Energy, 2024, vol. 360, issue C, No S0306261924001922

Abstract: This paper examines the economic and policy implications of the charging, network and auxiliary infrastructure required for a fully electrified metropolitan Melbourne bus network using overnight depot charging. We introduce the concept of minimum and maximum fleet charging capacities, as well as a charging infrastructure augmented total cost of ownership that is faced by bus fleet owners. Our analysis provides policy makers with a range of viable fleet charging capacities and a cost component breakdown of public bus fleet electrification using battery electric vehicles. We find that a minimum of half the fleet's rated charging capacity is needed to maintain operation, which provides a lower bound for network and charging infrastructure costs. Considering the augmented total cost of ownership (per km), charging, network and auxiliary infrastructure costs contribute 10–19%. A gradual transition to battery electric buses over 12 years yields further TCO savings of between 4.6 and 5%. We recommend streamlining the network augmentation process to reduce uncertainty and project delays.

Keywords: Public transport electrification; Charging requirements; Network augmentation; Backup power; Transportation policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q47 Q48 R40 R48 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.122809

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