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Bus electrification – challenges and opportunities for various stakeholders

Vaibhav Tyagi, CTO & Co-Founder at Kazam, discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with bus electrification.

Buses form the backbone of urban and rural transportation in India and many emerging markets. These vehicles connect millions of people daily, offering an affordable, reliable, and inclusive mode of travel. As nations transition to cleaner energy systems, the electrification of buses has become a cornerstone of sustainable transportation strategies.

The PM E-Drive scheme, announced on 11th September 2024, aims to deploy 14,028 E-Buses over two years. This initiative is followed by the PM-eBus Sewa-PSM scheme, supporting 38,000 E-Buses from FY25-FY29, with operations lasting up to 12 years (Ref). Additionally, 4,261 E-buses were sold from November 2023 to November 2024, as reported by EVreporter. India’s push for e-bus adoption aligns with trends in countries like China, leading the global market with over 400,000 e-buses (Ref), and European nations like Germany (Ref) and the UK (Ref), which are rapidly expanding their fleets. Although India currently has a smaller share of the global e-bus market, its ambitious targets and electrification schemes indicate significant growth potential. With a vast public transportation network and rising urbanization, India could become a key player in the global e-bus transition.

To support this shift, state transport and urban local bodies are complementing central initiatives.

– Delhi targets 80% of its fleet to be electric by 2025 (Ref).

– Kerala aims for at least 15% of the urban fleet operated by the fleet aggregators/ operators in the state to transition to EVs by 2025 (Ref, Page 5).

– Maharashtra has committed over ₹700 crore for electric public transport under its EV policy (Ref).

These states utilize a PPP model, in which the government pays fleet operators on a per-kilometre basis, provided key performance indicators, like timely trips, are met.

The increasing demand for EVs and government initiatives necessitate evolving infrastructure to enable stakeholders, such as fleet operators and vehicle OEMs, to drive this transition.

Ten years ago, electric buses had 50-100 kWh batteries and limited charging capacities of 50-60 kW, leading to long charging hours. Today, buses with 300 kWh batteries and charging speeds of 180-240 kW can charge fully in 1.5-2 hours, enabling longer travel hours and shorter charging times. Inter-city trips of 300-400 kilometers can be comfortably completed with a planned food break that doubles as a charging stop. However, maintaining on-time schedules requires tracking the state of charge and ensuring a steady flow of buses ready for trips.

Similar to flight management, fleet operations demand precise coordination. Depot operators must dynamically assign chargers to buses, ensuring sufficient energy for the next leg. This requires seamless integration between depot management software and battery and trip management systems to optimize operations.

Fleet operators must collaborate with charge point operators (CPOs) for on-the-go charging. Currently, India has 12,146 public charging stations, a large number being slow chargers within city limits (Ref). Interstate charging points mostly host 60 kW chargers, necessitating infrastructure upgrades for fast charging.

Unified efforts among charger OEMs, CPOs, vehicle OEMs, and the entire ecosystem are critical for seamless charging. The Unified Energy Interface (UEI) Alliance and protocols like Open Charge Protocol Interface (OCPI) facilitate communication between charging networks, enabling EV users to locate chargers efficiently.

Government subsidies often reduce electrification costs. Maharashtra’s EV policy offers a 25% subsidy on fixed electricity costs for EV charging (Ref), while Tamil Nadu provides a 100% electricity tax exemption for five years (Ref). Karnataka’s EV policy allocates land at concessional rates for charging infrastructure in industrial zones. The central government’s FAME-II scheme also offsets depot infrastructure costs.

Over time, EV batteries lose efficiency, with studies showing a 10-20% reduction after 1,500-2,000 cycles (Ref). Aging batteries experience increased energy dissipation during charging, slowing the process by up to 10%. Operators must monitor energy consumption per %SOC to optimize operations. Advanced telematics and predictive maintenance can mitigate disruptions, ensuring buses meet schedules and extend battery life. Energy losses occur as electricity flows through charging infrastructure, from transformers to chargers. Transformer efficiency typically ranges between 95-98%, while charger efficiency varies significantly. Comparing actual charger efficiency with OEM claims is crucial to minimizing losses. Active energy management systems and smart meters can track losses and optimize performance.

DISCOMs offer variable electricity rates based on demand. In Maharashtra, off-peak tariffs are up to 25% lower than peak rates. Scheduling charging during low-demand hours reduces costs, requiring smart energy management systems to align schedules with time-of-use tariffs.

Open access energy allows large consumers to purchase power directly from generators, often using renewable sources. States like Karnataka and Gujarat support green energy policies enabling commercial entities to source power from renewable providers. Operators can secure open access by obtaining state load dispatch center approvals and installing required infrastructure. Dynamic tariffs and load balancing ensure cost efficiency by optimizing charging during low-demand periods and avoiding penalties for exceeding contracted limits.

Depot charge points can serve public or partner fleets during non-operational hours, generating additional revenue. Charging management partners like Kazam EV Tech connect operators with EV users, maximizing idle infrastructure use. Agreements between DISCOMs and CPOs for grid stabilization provide incentives for adjusting charging schedules to balance grid demand, offering additional revenue streams.

The ultimate goal is to ensure travellers reach destinations safely and on time. Integrating energy, fleet, depot, charging, and battery management into a unified system is essential. Platforms like Kazam EV Tech help operators manage interconnected components efficiently. Upskilling fleet management staff ensures teams can address challenges and transform obstacles into growth opportunities.

Vaibhav Tyagi, CTO & Co-Founder, Kazam

Also read: Kazam raises USD 8M in Series A3 funding | Launches LEV-DC fast charging solution

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