Electric city coco and the concept of electrifying public transportation fleets

Electric city coco and the concept of electrifying public transportation fleets

The rise of electric vehicles has been one of the most transformative changes in the automotive industry in recent years. Not only are electric vehicles (EVs) more efficient and cheaper to operate than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, but they also produce zero emissions, making them a much more sustainable option for transportation.

Now, a new study from the University of California, Davis, has found that electrifying public transportation fleets could have an even bigger impact on reducing emissions than previously thought.

The study, which was published in the journal Nature Energy, found that electrifying buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation could reduce transportation-related emissions by up to 70 percent by 2050.

"This study shows that electrifying public transportation is one of the most effective ways to reduce transportation emissions," said study lead author Joshua Apte, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at UC Davis.

The study looked at a variety of different scenarios for electrifying public transportation fleets in the United States. In the most optimistic scenario, all public transportation would be electrified by 2050. In the most realistic scenario, only 25 percent of public transportation would be electrified by that date.

Even in the most realistic scenario, the study found that electrifying public transportation could reduce transportation-related emissions by up to 40 percent by 2050. And in the most optimistic scenario, the reduction in emissions would be even greater, at 70 percent.

"This study demonstrates that electrifying public transportation is a key strategy for achieving deep reductions in transportation emissions," said co-author Alexei Pozdnakov, a postdoctoral scholar at UC Davis.

The study also found that electrifying public transportation could have a number of other benefits, beyond reducing emissions. For example, it could improve air quality and public health, reduce noise pollution, and create jobs in the manufacturing and maintenance of electric vehicles.

"Electrifying public transportation is a win-win-win solution," said Apte. "It's good for the environment, good for public health, and good for the economy."

So what's holding back the electrification of public transportation? One of the biggest barriers is the high upfront cost of electric vehicles, which can be 2-3 times higher than the cost of traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

But the study found that, over time, the operating costs of electric vehicles are much lower than gasoline-powered vehicles, due to their higher efficiency and lower fuel costs. As a result, the study found that electrifying public transportation could actually save money in the long run.

"The upfront cost of electric vehicles is often cited as a barrier to electrification, but this study shows that, over time, electrification can actually save money," said Pozdnakov.

The study also found that the benefits of electrifying public transportation would be felt most powerfully in cities, where the majority of public transportation trips take place.

"Electrifying public transportation can have a big impact on reducing transportation emissions, but the benefits will be felt most powerfully in cities, where the majority of public transportation trips take place," said Apte.

So if you're looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint, and help make your city a cleaner and healthier place to live, electrifying your city's public transportation system is a great place to start.

Oct 13, 2023