Roadmap for transitioning India’s privately owned bus fleets to electric fleets

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2025

Subject Area

place - asia, mode - bus, infrastructure - vehicle, infrastructure - fleet management, policy - environment, organisation - contracting

Keywords

Bus fleet, electrification, reliability

Abstract

This study employs the Best-Worst Method (BWM) and Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) to identify effective strategies and key drivers for electrifying bus fleets among Indian private operators. Among strategies, our analysis highlights battery leasing and gross cost contracting as favourable, while outright purchase as unfavourable. Our study implies that aggregating the demand of small and fragmented private operators is essential for widespread fleet electrification. Similarly, the depots must be flexible enough to accommodate and enable overnight charging for electric buses. Besides, increasing the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix and the reliability of electricity at depots are crucial. The technological advancements, the reliability of electric buses, and reduced battery costs can facilitate a smoother transition. Furthermore, supportive government policies are critical for accelerating the transition to electric fleets.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Transportation Research Part D Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13619209

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