The integrated and effective application of electric buses in public bus systems is an important key to making transport more climate- and environment-friendly by lowering carbon and air pollutant emissions. In recent years, the number of new energy buses has rapidly increased in China (including plug-in hybrid buses, fuel cell buses and particularly in China, battery electric buses). By the end of 2020, there were approximately 466,100 new energy buses, accounting for about 66% of the total number of buses. Out of these new energy vehicles, the total number of battery electric buses was more than 250,000, accounting for 38% of the total.
The report aims to enhance the application of new energy buses and to share China’s experiences with other countries. It analyses the status quo of new energy buses and the development of battery electric buses in China in terms of the policy for NEV promotion, BEB promotion and application, as well as stakeholders. Also, it carries out a technical analysis of the life circle of battery electric buses based on the practices of eight cities. Besides, it identifies the problems and urgent demands of urban public transport services regarding the application of BEBs and tries to provide solution to these issues in five technical areas, including vehicle purchase selection technology, the planning and management of supporting facilities, the management of vehicle operation and organization systems, structuring maintenance systems, and power battery decommissioning and vehicle discarding programs. Furthermore, the report also provides prospects for BEB development and relative policy recommendations.
