Structured approach to e-bus transition
Published on 16 August 2021
Germany
Hamburg
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
It is easy to underestimate the complexity of e-bus transition as PTO. It is not enough to exchange a diesel bus by an electric bus, changes are required in processes, infrastructure, training of staff and other operational areas.
VHH aimed to establish a coordinated and transparent working structure. In various meetings with members of every department, different aspects of the current operation and required changes were considered. These aspects were clustered in topics to enable easy orientation. VHH structured e-bus transition in 16 work packages (WPs). Most of the WPs require input from various departments and are highly cross-sectional, e.g., WP3. Due to better overview, the transition is more likely to be a success and the risks of encountering unexpected obstacles are reduced.
The 16 work packages comprise:
01 Energy demand e-bus operation | 02 Emergency concepts | 03 Battery and charging technology | 04 charging and battery concepts | 05 Processes in depots and workshops| 06 Energy provision | 07 structural (physical) infrastructure | 08 Third-party concepts for energy and infrastructure | 09 New vehicle scheduling | 10 Cooperation and strategic partners | 11 Staff training | 12 Financial resources required | 13 Vehicle procurement | 14 Need for development in IT infrastructure | 15 Planning of infrastructure modification and construction works | 16 Traffic concept 2030
Especially WPs 14 and 15 turned out to be more challenging than anticipated.
VHH aimed to establish a coordinated and transparent working structure. In various meetings with members of every department, different aspects of the current operation and required changes were considered. These aspects were clustered in topics to enable easy orientation. VHH structured e-bus transition in 16 work packages (WPs). Most of the WPs require input from various departments and are highly cross-sectional, e.g., WP3. Due to better overview, the transition is more likely to be a success and the risks of encountering unexpected obstacles are reduced.
The 16 work packages comprise:
01 Energy demand e-bus operation | 02 Emergency concepts | 03 Battery and charging technology | 04 charging and battery concepts | 05 Processes in depots and workshops| 06 Energy provision | 07 structural (physical) infrastructure | 08 Third-party concepts for energy and infrastructure | 09 New vehicle scheduling | 10 Cooperation and strategic partners | 11 Staff training | 12 Financial resources required | 13 Vehicle procurement | 14 Need for development in IT infrastructure | 15 Planning of infrastructure modification and construction works | 16 Traffic concept 2030
Especially WPs 14 and 15 turned out to be more challenging than anticipated.
Expert opinion
In line with the Green Deal objectives aiming at about 1 million public recharging points for the 13 million zero- and low-emission vehicles expected on the roads
of the European Union by 2025, the good practice shows how local governments can play their part to accelerate the transition towards electric vehicles. Transitioning the public transport fleet to electric drive is more than simply switching to a new bus. The public transport operator Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein has adopted a very systematic approach, taking into account all aspects that need to be communicated, trained and changed when moving from diesel to e-buses. This structured approach has the merit of being holistic and allow to build knowledge and confidence with the new transport system quickly for all involved staff. As such, this is a transferable approach, while the indiviudal work packages will need to be translated.
of the European Union by 2025, the good practice shows how local governments can play their part to accelerate the transition towards electric vehicles. Transitioning the public transport fleet to electric drive is more than simply switching to a new bus. The public transport operator Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein has adopted a very systematic approach, taking into account all aspects that need to be communicated, trained and changed when moving from diesel to e-buses. This structured approach has the merit of being holistic and allow to build knowledge and confidence with the new transport system quickly for all involved staff. As such, this is a transferable approach, while the indiviudal work packages will need to be translated.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Representatives from all departments need to be involved. Example for cost estimation: 5 meetings of 2 hours, consisting of 5 people, resulting in 100 man-hours. External expertise might be necessary and needs to be taken into account for financial planning.
Evidence of success
VHH managed a successful transition from only a few pilot e-buses to regular operation of e-buses (by end of 2020: 22; the upscaling is going on until full transition to e-mobility).
Potential for learning or transfer
The experiences made in this practice can be beneficial to other PTOs and at the same time, the structure of the work packages can easily be adapted and modified. Different situations or circumstances in other regions might lead to a different weighting or even a re-design of the work packages, but the practice can serve as a source of inspiration.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein GmbH
Germany
Hamburg
Contact
Agence Web