Vehicles (Jun 2025)

Key Performance Indicators for Evaluating Electric Buses in Public Transport Operations

  • Xiao Li,
  • Balázs Horváth,
  • Ágoston Winkler

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles7020058
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 2
p. 58

Abstract

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The evaluation of electric buses used in public transportation operations encompasses several critical factors that directly influence the operational efficiency, as well as the economic viability, environmental advantages, and user experience. Energy consumption is a critical metric for assessing the energy efficiency of electric buses. It facilitates a better understanding of vehicle performance across varying road conditions and advances the implementation of energy-saving solutions. The passenger demand model is a tool used to assess the quality and experience of electric buses, with the assessment being based on real usage. The operational mileage is defined as the driving distance of electric buses on a single charge. This parameter has a significant impact on both urban coverage and route optimization. The article under consideration identifies evaluation indicators for electric buses. These indicators are derived from a set of 100 questionnaire responses, which were collected in Győr, Hungary. The classification of the indicators into three segments—mechanical, operational and bus transportation system—is proposed, with the underlying rationale and significance of each indicator’s selection being elucidated. The findings indicate that this component is essential for developing a comprehensive evaluation system for electric buses and serves as a solid foundation for more intricate future studies.

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