Abstract
Electric buses have superior environmental performance because they emit no CO2 and other exhaust gases while driving. However, in terms of more popularization of electric buses, it is essential to improve battery performance and realize user-friendliness of charging. To resolve these issues, a concept “short range running and frequent charging” was formulated. Under this approach, the authors have studied methods of greatly reducing the amount of large, heavy, and expensive battery. Research on non-contact inductive power supply (IPS) system has also been conducted as a way of improving charging convenience. A longterm operation test of electric buses was performed in Nagano prefecture as part of a project organized by the Japan Ministry of the Environment from 2011 to 2014. For this project the short-range frequentcharging type electric buses, “Waseda Electric Buses (WEBs)” were developed and tested on public roads to make clear the environmental performance and energy costs. WEB-3, one of the test vehicles, was driven for 41,724 km without any major problems and had advantages to reduce 28 - 42 % of CO2 emissions and 57 – 64 % of energy costs, compared to conventional diesel buses. And it was estimated on Matlab simulation model that total energy consumption could be reduced by 11 % with vehicle weight reduction, modifications of drivetrain and other components.
Highlights
In order to deal with energy and environmental issues, research and development of electric buses towards improving the environmental performance and the practicability have been conducted by the research group at Waseda University since 2002 [1] [2] [3]
EVS28 International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition operation way, small or middle sized buses on regular routes are thought to be suitable and aimed to put into practical use. From this kind of circumstance, our research group performed a long-term operation test of specially developed electric buses as part of a project organized by the Japan Ministry of the Environment on fixed-route bus in Nagano prefecture for 3 years
There was no major problem during operation and the reliability of Waseda Electric Buses (WEBs)-3 was confirmed. (b) Total electricity consumption for both HVAC and running was 0.96 kWh / km on Gururin-line and 0.82 kWh / km on Hirabayashi-line
Summary
In order to deal with energy and environmental issues, research and development of electric buses towards improving the environmental performance and the practicability have been conducted by the research group at Waseda University since 2002 [1] [2] [3]. In terms of more popularization of electric buses, it is essential to improve battery performance and realize userfriendliness of charging To resolve these issues, a concept “short range running and frequent charging” was formulated. From the point of view of vehicle size and EVS28 International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition operation way, small or middle sized buses on regular routes are thought to be suitable and aimed to put into practical use From this kind of circumstance, our research group performed a long-term operation test of specially developed electric buses as part of a project organized by the Japan Ministry of the Environment on fixed-route bus in Nagano prefecture for 3 years. To make clear the possibility of further reduction of energy consumption, our research group modified the heating system on WEB-3 and assessed the effect, explored the possibility of further reduction of running energy on Matlab simulation model
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