Life cycle environmental and cost impacts of bus transit networks: A real drive cycle evaluation of different powertrains

Bans on internal combustion engines (ICE) are gradually being imposed to meet decarbonization targets as fully electric vehicles (EV) are seen as a viable alternative for ICEs. However, EVs have significant lifecycle emissions and high dynamic costs throughout their life cycle. To assess the feasibility and viability for bus transit networks, lifecycle comparisons of environmental and cost impacts of different bus propulsion systems are performed herein. This includes conventional, parallel, and series hybrid buses that use e-Fischer Tropsch and conventional diesel fuel. Additionally, evaluation of impacts of fuel cell and battery electric buses is conducted for thorough comparisons. This is achieved by 0-dimensional real drive cycle assessment of different bus transit networks for the years 2021, 2030 and 2050 in three different global regions. The use of real drive cycle assessment for energy consumption and the wide range of fuel/powertrain options, regions and timeframes considered in this study makes it unique. Results show that e-fueled buses have the lowest 100-year global warming in each scenario but with lower cost impact only after 2030. Fuel cell and battery electric buses exhibit high-cost impacts, with battery electric buses demonstrating high environmental impacts. Which decreases with increasing share of renewable electricity in projected future scenarios for the three regions. Thus, this study highlights the decarbonization potential and cost of the different alternative powertrain technologies over time in different global regions.