CTA electric buses(time will tell)

[CrabbyMilton]

I bet you a steak dinner that they'll need a diesel generator to help keep these things charged since the grid isn't quite ready. I hope it works out but this is still new folks.

https://abc7chicago.com/cta-electric-buses-grant-american-rescue-plan-bus/11630443/

[buswarrior]

I wonder how much electricity the high flow diesel pump uses to fill a transit bus?

Not a small amount, gauging the size of cables that feed the ones i used to be familiar with?

Add the portion of tank farm electrcitiy, etc etc. There's a lot of electricity involved in diesel fuel.

Not as bad as it could be?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[windtrader]

Whether Chitown or any other transit district gets it right, it is not the tech that is the primary reason.


https://raillynews.com/2020/10/Electric-buses-in-China-reached-60-percent-of-the-total/

China's desire for clean energy enabled up to 60 percent of the country's buses to consist of electrically powered buses. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China recently announced the latest statistics on electric vehicles.

You are free to dispute the accuracy but there are numerous accounts of the progress China is making toward EV.

[chessie4905]

I expect our local transit operations will convert to all electric as soon as they can get the money. They were early in lng.

[windtrader]

The question bug bit again. Had to dig details on current state of Sacramento metro transit.


Here is the specific and current plan to transition Sac RT to Zero Emissions public transit vehicles.
https://www.sacrt.com/apps/wp-content/uploads/SacRT_Final-Rollout-Plan_10.9.20.pdf


Here is a table showing Sac is already on CNG and has some EV buses in service. I did not know that at all. Might just have to go find a route and take a ride. lol

[CrabbyMilton]

We're supposed to get 12 of them later this year here in Milwaukee County. But they are only gonna be used on one route to which they built special stops and signs which wasn't needed. But the point is that EV's are often just a ball in a political game.
I predict that this route will be running diesels on this new line when one or more of those new"lectrics" break down. I too may have to park along this route and take a ride just to say I tried them out.

[chessie4905]

Would be surprised to see breakdowns. Computers will recalculate routes to ensure plenty of reserve battery capacity. Should work fine.Its long distance runs for battery that will be the biggest challenge and electrical draw for heat and ac. Since public funding, cost isn't an object,the biggest question is, where is the recharging power coming from???

[CrabbyMilton]

Oh electricity just comes out of the wall just like that. Cost, it's federal money so don't worry all they have to do is print more. Yes I'm being sarcastic.

[windtrader]

Would be surprised to see breakdowns. Computers will recalculate routes to ensure plenty of reserve battery capacity. Should work fine.Its long distance runs for battery that will be the biggest challenge and electrical draw for heat and ac. Since public funding, cost isn't an object,the biggest question is, where is the recharging power coming from???

I don't have the specifics but can state factually California is pressing very hard to go to renewables for much of the public demand for electricity. It's going to happen but like all massive shifts, going to take much time and resources.

[luvrbus]

Valley Metro in the Phoenix area has been testing EV buses for several years, they have charging stations at crossing with the lite rail electric system

[lvmci]

I would think regenerative braking on 6 or 8 wheels, will go a way from start and stop driving to extend electricity in the batteries. Along with a roof full of solar voltaic pannels. But AC may have to have a separate power source. I still think hydrogen power is the long term solution...

[Jim Blackwood]

If they were really all that concerned about reducing the energy footprint they would be pushing hard for an efficient solar cell that could be laid down on house roofs like a roll of linoleum and be just as weatherproof. Use it to replace the shingles, power the house, sell any excess back to the grid. Anybody see that happening? It shifts control away from the power companies so they will fight it with everything they've got.

Jim

[chessie4905]

 Tesla was talking about doing that a couple of years ago. It appears they are currently advertising the product.

[Jeremy]

The city I live in has been running a fleet of electric buses for years now. I've no idea how they are in terms of reliability or operational economy etc, but you see them running around everywhere so I guess they're getting the job done well enough.

Jeremy

[Fred Mc]

Cheaper to have trolley buses but not as sexy/