Current electric school bus battery ranges can cover most bus routes
One of the most common questions about electric school buses is about their range: how far can they go on a single charge? Electric school buses are becoming more advanced, with longer ranges, with each new generation of bus. Many manufacturers are on their second or third iteration &#; and some even further along. Electric school buses currently have ranges of up to 210 miles for Type C buses; and all Type A, C and D buses listed offer over 100 miles of range, enough to cover most bus routes.
When examining the range of the bus, it is important to be aware of the advertised or &#;nameplate&#; battery capacity compared to its &#;usable&#; capacity. Many manufacturers will advertise the actual battery size (kWh) or nameplate capacity of a bus, but in reality, around 80% - 90% of that advertised capacity will be &#;usable.&#; Manufacturers reserve about 10-20% of the battery to maintain the battery state of health over the long run. Reserving some of the battery power also ensures that critical functionality will work and that the vehicle will not suddenly shut-off.
Should the charge level reach less than 10-20% (the bus will warn a driver when it approaches this range), the bus may eliminate power to external systems to conserve it for essential functions. This function is similar to fossil fuel vehicles that are low on fuel.
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The range listed is typically based on simply running the bus only; however, other systems like heating and air conditioning would also use the battery and reduce mileage range. Notably, a wheelchair lift or ramp does not draw power from the high voltage battery that is responsible for propulsion &#; so there&#;s no impact on range. Instead, a separate 12-volt battery is used to power the lift and ramp.
In contrast, regenerative braking can capture extra energy, which could extend the range of the bus. Regenerative braking occurs on downhill rides or during slow stopping like at stop signs, traffic lights and bus stops, or while in traffic. It has an added benefit of lower wear and tear on braking systems.
Over the lifetime of an electric school bus, the battery will naturally degrade by around 20% after several years of use &#; similar to how a smart battery doesn&#;t last as long after a few years. If an electric school bus operator participates in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) or vehicle-to-anything (V2X) services, the added battery cycles may degrade the battery more quickly.
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