Mobility Club x Transdev event summary: Bus electrification, navigating through charging and battery challenges

Round table #1:

During the round table “Deploying electric bus fleets at scale: how to manage local network constraints?”, Hadi Mousavi, CEO of Chargepoly and expert in managing electric bus charging infrastructure, Lex Bentner, Head of Public Transport for the city of Luxembourg, and Quentin Maître, Chief Marketing Strategy & Development Officer at Dreev, had the opportunity to share their views on the topic. They discussed the challenges in obtaining permits to create charging infrastructures, the complexity of charging several buses simultaneously at the same depots, and the impact on local energy networks. To overcome these obstacles, they proposed innovative solutions, such as planning charging throughout the day, “smart charging,” and organisational processes like charging at stops.

1 – Challenges

• Electric grid capacity: There are some difficulties in obtaining the power needed to charge electric buses, varying according to geographical location and time of day. Some countries, such as the Netherlands, Germany and the Benelux countries, experience grid limitations.
• Infrastructure variability: Electricity distribution networks are not uniform everywhere, making it difficult to connect bus depots and sometimes requiring costly investment and time to reinforce the network.
• Operational management : Operators need to optimise bus downtime for charging, which potentially means increasing the number of buses or even modifying routes accordingly. The transition also involves training staff in new technologies and practices.

2 – Solution

• Smart charging: Using technological solutions to optimise charging times, reduce costs, and avoid peak consumption on the electrical grid.
• Diversification of charging methods: Adopting two types of charging methods, at depots and along the road to ensure flexibility and service continuity, even if one or two charging sessions are missed.
• Advanced charging technologies: Investing in pantographs which could have a positive impact to reduce maintenance costs and improve operational efficiency.
• Software management: Implementing software to plan bus charging based on future schedules, optimising energy use and daily operations.
• Employees training: Raising driver awareness of eco-friendly practices, particularly regarding heating and air conditioning use, to maximise the efficiency of electric buses.

3 – Future

• Development of V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid): In the future, electric buses could send energy back to the grid, helping to reduce costs and stabilise the electric grid.
• Increased data integration: Data will be key, and operators will analyse them to simplify operations and optimise charging management.
• Skills evolution: We are going to see a strong demand for specialised employees, such as electricians and engineers, to support technological advances and ensure a successful transition.

This round table highlighted the major challenges related to the electrification of bus fleets, particularly the constraints imposed by the capacity of local electric grids and the complexities associated with simultaneous recharging. The participants proposed practical solutions such as smart charging and the diversification of recharging methods (at depots and along the route). It is clear that proactive planning and solid partnerships are essential to overcoming these obstacles and ensuring the success of the transition to more sustainable public transport systems.

Round table #2:

During this round table titled “Electric bus batteries: how can we better manage this valuable asset ?”, Marcin Seredynski, Vincent Gautier, and Pierre-Amans Lapeyre explored the challenges and opportunities related to managing batteries in electric bus fleets. Marcin Seredynski explained how Volvo Buses is preparing for electrification in the market, Vincent Gautier discussed the fundamental differences between electric buses and fossil fuel buses for public transport operators, and Pierre-Amans Lapeyre presented the current state of the emerging market for second life batteries. They emphasised on the new strategies needed to optimise the value of batteries throughout their lifecycle.

1 – Challenges

• The different lifespans of assets: Electric buses have a lifespan of 15 to 17 years, while batteries last around 8 years, complicating financial and operational planning.
• The specific monitoring and management of batteries: Batteries require constant monitoring to maximise their residual value, including health monitoring (SOH – State of Health).
• The lack of in-house expertise: Public transport operators often lack specialised skills in battery management.

2 – Solution

• The implementation of short-term operational strategies: This involves adjusting driver behaviour to optimise energy usage, refining the use of heating and air conditioning systems to reduce battery strain, and managing bus assignments based on the health of the battery to ensure operational efficiency.
• The formation of collaborations and strategic partnerships: Working with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and battery specialists to customise buses and develop adapted software solutions.
• The acquisition of new expertise: Training or recruiting battery specialists and data analysts to develop internal expertise.

3 – Future

• The expansion of the second-life battery market: Creating opportunities for operators to repurpose used batteries in stationary storage or other applications.
• The continuous technological innovation: Adopting new battery chemistries and management software to optimise battery utilisation and lifespan.
• The adoption of innovative economic models: Exploring suitable financing models and services linked to the electric grid to generate new revenues.

During this round table, it was pointed out that battery management constitutes a distinct and crucial challenge for electric bus operators. With different lifespans between buses and their batteries, it is essential to monitor battery health to maximise their value. The participants highlighted the importance of collaborating with battery experts, as well as short and long-term strategies to optimise their use. The discussion opened the door to new opportunities, particularly in the emerging second-life battery market.

Keynote:

During this keynote, Claudius Jehle addressed the crucial importance of batteries in the energy transition and how they are not being used to their full potential. He presented the work of his company, Volytica Diagnostics, which develops software solutions to analyse battery data and provide actionable insights. He emphasised that, with a better understanding and optimised use of batteries, transport operators can reduce costs, extend battery life, and improve safety.

1 – Challenges

• The underutilization of batteries: Batteries, as expensive and degradable components, are not being optimally exploited, leading to wasted potential.
• The technological complexity of battery management: The diversity in lithium-ion battery chemistries results in varying degradation behaviours depending on usage, complicating their management.
• The lack of actionable data: Despite large quantities of battery data being collected, it is not systematically analysed to improve performance and safety.

2 – Solution

• The application of advanced data analysis: Using software like those developed by Volytica Diagnostics to convert raw battery data into actionable insights related to health, safety, and lifespan optimisation.
• The optimisation of usage practices: Adjusting charging and discharging patterns, such as avoiding unnecessary 100% charges, to reduce degradation and extend battery life.
• The digitalisation and integration of battery data: Integrating battery insights into fleet management systems through APIs to enable continuous monitoring and informed decision-making.

3 – Future

• The maximisation of current battery potential: Rather than waiting for a technological breakthrough, focusing on optimising the use of existing battery technologies.
• The extension of battery lifespan: Using data to predict and prevent issues, enabling batteries to be used beyond their warranty period, reducing costs and environmental impact.
• The improvement of safety: Proactively monitoring batteries to detect early signs of failure or safety risks, allowing for preventive interventions.

This keynote taught us that while batteries are costly and essential to the energy transition, they are largely underutilised. Through digitalization and better data management, it is possible to optimise their use, extend their lifespan, and improve safety. Rather than relying on future technological innovations, transport operators can already extract more value from current batteries by using advanced diagnostics tools and adjusting their management practices.