ELIPTIC (Electrification of Public Transport in Cities) is a European project funded the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The main assumption underpinning ELIPTIC is that further take-up of electric vehicles can be supported cost-efficiently by integrating existing electric public transport infrastructure for multi-purpose use.
Oradea Transport Local S.A. (OTL), the municipality-owned public transport operator of Oradea applied successfully for funding within ELIPTIC project, among other tasks for preparing a Feasibility study (including cost-benefit analysis) on Multipurpose use of existing public transport electric power infrastructure for (re)charging e-vehicles. Mobilissimus has been selected as an external expert for preparing the feasibility study. Managing director Antal Gertheis presented the results at a workshop held in Oradea, 19/12/2017, along with presentations by OTL and experts from ELIPTIC partner SZKT (Szeged electric public transport operator).
The feasibility study analyses the current situation in Oradea and the Oradea Metropolitan Area, focusing on electric public transport. Based on a wide review of existing European practices on the use of existing public transport electric power infrastructure for (re)charging e-vehicles, it proposes different alternative solutions that could be implemented in Oradea, and examines them including a Cost-Benefit Analysis.
With regard to electric buses, two lines with termini close to tram lines have been selected for options analysis, and two charging strategies (depot charging and opportunity charging) have been compared for each of them. According to the results, opportunity charging is more reasonable for both lines than depot charging, mainly due to the fact that the schedules of the lines allow the 1-by-1 replacement of diesel buses by electric ones in case of opportunity charging at the terminal, while depot charging requires an additional bus.
The results are in line with the current development level of the e-bus industry, where – in purely financial terms – e-buses are not yet cheaper than diesel buses regarding the whole lifetime. However, as the electric vehicle market is developing rapidly, it is important to closely monitor the developments and possibly test the technology if funding can be secured.
