Analyzing the Energy Consumption and Recharging Requirements of Battery Electric Buses : A Case Study in Qatar

The transport sector contributes almost a quarter of the global Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and is considered among the most polluting sectors in most cities. Almost 6% of the public transportation global emissions contribution mainly results from heavy-duty vehicles. These growing concerns have resulted in a search for alternatives for urban mobility and public transportation. Among the available options, there has been an increasing interest in Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) due to their flexibility, sustainability, and reduced emissions.

Many challenges are preventing the massive deployment of BEBs globally. These challenges fall under two main categories: (1) operational challenges, which primarily relate to the limited driving range, which is closely associated with Energy Consumption (EC) variations across diverse operating conditions, and (2) economic challenges, which pertain to the initial purchasing cost of the buses and the requirement for new infrastructure.

Given the fact that Qatar purchased 741 BEBs to operate during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, this work analyzes the actual EC of four BEB types in Qatar. It uses a real-world testing campaign involving an extensive testing program assessing the EC of the various subsystems, i.e., heating, ventilation, air conditioning, driveline, and auxiliary, under diverse operating conditions using on-board telematics. In addition, a forecasting simulation model is developed to account for Qatar’s distinct weather and climate conditions, providing a useful comparison for a real-world case study. Specifically, the study examines how the region’s soaring temperatures will impact BEBs’ driving range, while the comparative analysis presents a fascinating exploration of the disparities between the actual on-road scenario and the meticulously simulated environment.