Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best Electric Intercity Buses

With an aim to take the USA towards zero-emission transportation, the Joe Biden government has proposed a USD174 billion program for bolstering electric vehicle adoption. Innovation in the emerging heavy-duty electric bus sector by the major players operating in the market is boosting the efficiency and reducing maintenance costs of e-buses, which is boosting its market growth. 

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Increased focus on green and sustainable future has put a great emphasis on electrification. In the USA, vehicular pollution accounts for approx. 29% of the country’s net greenhouse gas emissions, therefore President Joe Biden’s plan has a broad intent in electrifying the automobile sector for reducing carbon footprint and reach environmental goals. Although passenger cars dominated the electric vehicles market, now electric bus adoption has been booming in the USA for reducing costs and carbon emissions from the public transport sector. According to Bloomberg’s Electric Vehicle Outlook , e-buses are expected to hold a majority of the global bus fleet by .  

Here are the top five electric buses dominating the USA market. 

Proterra ZX5 Electric Bus

Proterra ZX5 is the latest fifth-generation battery-electric transit bus designed for full fleet electrification and a smooth-riding experience. The streamlined body design of the electric bus enhances the durability, performance, and safety of the vehicle. Proterra ZX5 is available in 40-foot and 35-foot lengths equipped with the highest battery capacity of up to 660kWh, which provides the bus with more energy storage and driving range than any other 40-foot electric bus. For a smooth riding experience, the bus offers new shocks and improved ergonomics. The electric bus has two drive unit options, standard ProDrive drivetrain (single motor) and Duopower (dual motor), which has increased its power multifold than the previous versions. Featuring two electric motors engineered to deliver an impressive 550 horsepower, the DuoPower drivetrain has the potential to propel a bus from 0 to 20 mph in under six seconds. 

With a seating capacity of 29, the bus provides a maximum range of 240 miles and a top speed of 65mph. Besides, the electric bus accepts high-power DC fast-charging, thus shuttles can be fully charged within three hours using 150 kW. The additional front port provides great flexibility and optionality for transit customers. Proterra electric buses can save up to 230,000 pounds of emissions annually, replacing diesel-powered buses with zero tailpipe emissions. Besides, the riders do not have to care about noise pollution as the bus offers a quiet ride with great efficiency. Proterra batteries are manufactured with a safety mechanism to withstand even the toughest conditions. 

BYD Motors K12A & Type D

The world’s longest pure electric bus, BYD’s new K12Ais a bi-articulated bus with a capacity of around 250 passengers. Taking the lead in the field of electric buses, K12Aallows quiet and pollution-free travel while cutting down maintenance costs for operators. Featuring a lightweight structure and all-aluminum body, BYD’s K12A has the capacity to cover distances up to 300 km on a single charge with the potential to attain a maximum speed of 70kmph. The bus includes a distributed 4WD system that allows the operator to switch the bus between 2WD and 4WD smoothly across different terrains and reduce the energy consumption of the bus while meeting different demands. BYD’s electric buses are known for their power-saving performance and environmental protection. The electric bus can save up to 360,000 liters of fuel throughout its lifecycle, preventing around 80 tons of carbon emissions annually. 

BYD Motors’s Type D school bus is the latest innovation in battery-electric buses, offering a range of 155 miles on a single charge. Providing top-priority safety features, sleek design, and high-performance capabilities, the electric bus makes the whole riding experience smooth and secure. The bus has a low energy demand, collision avoidance systems, and a 360-degree monitoring system, which allows the operator to ride the bus at slow speeds to prevent accidents with pedestrians and cyclists in the periphery. The bus provides an additional layer of protection to students with IMMI’s safeguard 3-point lap-shoulder belts and integrated child seats. 

NFI Group Inc. Xcelsior CHARGE™

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Available in 35-foot, 40 foot, and 60-foot models with a passenger capacity of up to 88, Xcelsior Charge NG is a long-range electric bus, harnessing the best technology on the market. Its streamlined design enhances energy recovery, reduces weight, and increases energy density. The electric bus is sustainable, easier to maintain, and delivers high performance due to fewer parts in the vehicles. The new generation of batteries in the electric bus utilizes an active liquid cooling system to optimize temperature, enhance power efficiency, and increase battery life. Besides, the batteries are lightweight, easier to maintain, dustproof, and waterproof. The new fleet of electric buses by NFI consists of fewer parts as the manufacturer has reduced the parts from 250 to 50 (90% reduction). 

The Siemens ELFA 3 traction system embedded in the Xcelsior CHARGE™ electric bus offers up to 90% energy recovery and even weighs 69% less than ELFA 2. The efficient design, compact inverters, and drive controllers allow greater capacity for passengers and ensure a safe experience. The Xcelsior CHARGE H2 utilizes eco-friendly hydrogen and fuel-cell technology to generate electricity for extended-range zero-emission transit operations. The vehicle can save around 85-175 tons of carbon emissions annually compared to traditional diesel buses as the only tailpipe output is clean water vapor. Besides, the electric bus features regenerative braking while decelerating, which aids in reducing energy consumption. 

GILLIG Zero Emission Electric Battery Bus 

GILLIG’s best-in-class electric bus incorporating Cummins electrified powertrain features remote diagnostics and over-the-air connectivity. The 12-meter and 40-foot vehicle is equipped with a battery capacity of 444 kWh, 16 plug-in charging systems, and four high-power on-route chargers. With a seating capacity of 38 customers, the bus offers all customer amenities like digital onboard monitors, contactless payment options, and complimentary Wi-fi to make the journey convenient. The bus is powered with 100% renewable energy with the support of six onboard batteries, each one providing an estimated real-world range of 150 miles. The bus has a direct-drive traction motor with a peak torque of  Nm for a high-energy performance. Besides, the bus uses energy recovered from a regenerative braking system for operation. The new electric buses introduced by GILLIG are reliable, safe, comfortable, and quiet, which makes them the best heavy-duty transit buses in the market. With a paired ChargePoint Express 250 installation, the zero-emission buses can be fully charged in four hours.

GreenPower EV Star 

The GreenPower EV Star is the first purpose-built heavy-duty class-4 minibus, designed and built to accommodate up to 19 passengers. Utilizing a unibody construction, the GreenPower EV Star can be used for paratransit, micro-transit, cargo delivery, and many more activities. The electric vehicle provides a range of up to 150 miles with 118kWh battery capacity. The electric bus can be charged with AC level-2 in 8 hours at 11kW or DC fast charge via CCS port in 2 hours at 61kW or through wireless charging at 55kW. Besides, the rear cabin provides ample space of 102 cubic feet for cargo with a payload capacity of up to  pounds.

The traction motor receives power from the motor controller that receives high voltage DC power from the high voltage power distribution unit. The battery monitoring system protects the batteries from damage and controls the vehicle charging process. When compared to diesel or CNG engines, the EV Star can save up to USD20,000 of fuel costs. Besides, the EV Star does not require maintenance frequently due to the utilization of regenerative braking. 

The penetration of electric buses in the public transport segment is expected to further broaden with the rising number of government initiatives. The USA Department of Transportation has recently announced to grant USD182 million to 49 transit agency projects across 46 states and territories to increase the adoption of electric buses and expand the charging infrastructure. Other types of funding examples include granting of USD1.5 million to the Port Authority of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh to strengthen its charging infrastructure and promote the adoption of electric buses. In May , the USA government revealed its USD73 billion-dollar plan for the electrification of public transit buses, delivery trucks, etc., while replacing more than 155,000 commercial diesel vehicles. With more federal investments and innovation by the key market players, the adoption of e-buses is expected to grow further in the coming years. The road to electrification will certainly lead to a greener and better future. 

According to TechSci research report on “United States Electric Bus Market By Seating Capacity (Up to 30-Seater; 31-40 Seater; & Above 40), By Battery Type (Lead Acid & Lithium Ion), By Application (Intercity; Intracity; & Airport Bus), By Bus Length (6-8m; 9-12m; & Above 12m), Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, ”, the United States electric bus market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 20% owing to the rapid urbanization and increasing concern about the rising levels of vehicular pollution. Besides, government initiatives and introduction of advanced e-bus models are expected to propel the growth of United States e-bus market in the coming years.  

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Electric Intercity Buses.

Distinguished - BHPian  
Join Date: Feb Location: NSEW Posts: 4,009 Thanked: 29,816 Times Re: Intercity Electric Buses Review |Nuego Mytrah vs KSRTC Olectra Why the urge to try an E-Bus and how I got the opportunity?

My travel across the country, especially South and West India, has gone up exponentially in the last two years or so - and I use all modes of transport in the process. On one trip, I found that Nuego was operating a service from Trichy to Bengaluru and hence decided to see what this E-Bus experience was all about. Just about then, I found fellow bhpian DigitalOne's review of Nuego (NueGo Electric Bus Service Review | Bengaluru to Chennai) and decided to try it out. @DigitalOne had forewarned of a possible long charging stop, but I decided to try the service out nevertheless. Opportunities to try alternate modes of travel should be explored without procrastinating. Who knows when one would get the next chance!

Booking Experience

Nuego's website is straightforward, but the fares aren't . They fluctuate wildly and it is left to one's smartness to book one's ticket and the right price point. The fares are weird

a. first row is, say, INR 450 (sitting ducks?)
b. rows 2,3,4 approx. INR 550
c. rows 5,6,7 approx. INR 520
d. rows 8,9,10 approx. INR 400

The lowest fare would remain steady till departure of the bus but the others would go up or down wildly based on, say, number of hits or rate at which seats are being gobbled up. I found my seat being offered for a high of 620 and a low of 450, for a bus in which only approx 15 seats were booked.

GST Levy

I have travelled airconditioned buses aplenty and have always paid 5% GST, but Nuego is the only service where I've been charged 12%. Why? Last edited by vigsom : 30th May at 17:57. Distinguished - BHPian  
Join Date: Feb Location: NSEW Posts: 4,009 Thanked: 29,816 Times Re: Intercity Electric Buses Review |Nuego Mytrah vs KSRTC Olectra D-Day and the ride

I reached the point of origin and found the bus without fuss. However, for first timers, there is likely to be some confusion resulting in calls to the crew. Instead of vaguely mentioning the boarding point as near X Hotel, they should clearly mention it as opp. X hotel, outside the SETC Bus Stand etc. Anyways, on a hot afternoon, the bus was extremely cool even with the aircon off, and when the motor was started for the AC, there was barely any noise.

Departure was on time, and in a short while, we'd exited the city onto the road to Salem. Ride quality was brilliant, aircon was tops, and the ottoman seats made by Harita were quite impressive. The talking point about these seats is the overall leatherette finish and the steep recline angle.

Cockpit- the polycarbonate on the instrument cluster is already bearing the brunt of UV radiation


View of the road from inside




Seats


Seat Recline - am sure this superior recline angle with the ottoman would translate into a blissful sleeping experience during night journeys


A small bottle of water is given to every passenger - more available later if needed
Last edited by vigsom : 30th May at 18:00. Distinguished - BHPian  
Join Date: Feb Location: NSEW Posts: 4,009 Thanked: 29,816 Times Re: Intercity Electric Buses Review |Nuego Mytrah vs KSRTC Olectra Likes

1. Superior Acceleration
2. Almost silent ride except for some minor road noise
3. Excellent Ride quality
4. Powerful Airconditioning
5. Crew demeanour - one used to work for another big bus operator and the other gentleman used to be a trucker

Dislikes

1. Ultra long charging stop
2. Too many nuisance audio alarms - pedestrian warning, unsafe following distance, driver distraction, lane departure warning, collision warning rendering them equivalent to "Cry Wolf"

All went well till the rest stop

It was a fantastic journey till the rest-cum-charging stop. The ride to Salem was done in less than 3 hours, and we were in Aasai Aasai Ananda Bhavan Delight at Omalur bypass in about 3hrs 25mins. Fantastic ride this far, and we were then given the first shocker - stop for charging and meals would be 1 hour . Since I had a lot of time on hand, I went next door to this place which is a quaint eatery, had 2 dal vadas and a cup of black coffee, all for a mere 22 bucks, and waited for the charging to get over. The charging stop finally came to an end in 1hr 15mins which, in my view, is unacceptable time. There was some power outage which resulted in charging getting interrupted. If uninterrupted power supply cannot be assured, electric bus patronage would gradually slip away!

Safety at the charging stop

1. Rubber mats placed at the charger
2. Fire extinguishers available and visible
3. Attendant was putting on a reflective jacket and was in safety shoes

DOs and DONTs board displayed, but nobody heeded them; I found folks gathered at the charging point when the charging was taking too long; this should be curtailed. I had an urge to go and check the charging station, but stayed away as I'd be treated as a trespasser. Also, I'd opine that passengers should be off the bus during charging stops for safety reasons.


The refreshment-cum-charging point


Parked at the charging station with the twin charger plugged in


Charging station




Views of the coach






Excellent warm white lighting in the bus


The following video was captured on the difficult uphill ride at the Thoppur ghat - this should give an idea of how effortlessly the bus pulled despite not being pushed too hard. Those nuisance warnings are also audible in the clip.


Despite an 8hr 30mins ride (including the long 1hr 15min rest cum charging stop and an approx 20min delay due to traffic congestion before the E-City toll), I arrived at my destination fresh, and the crew was considerate to drop passengers off on the left side of the road at Silk Board. Other buses would drop people off at the foot of the bridge and then they'd have to cross dangerously via incoming traffic onto the service road. I loved the crew, their driving skills, demeanour, and the overall ride. Last edited by vigsom : 30th May at 18:09. Distinguished - BHPian  
Join Date: Feb Location: NSEW Posts: 4,009 Thanked: 29,816 Times Re: Intercity Electric Buses Review |Nuego Mytrah vs KSRTC Olectra Ride#2 - KSRTC EV PowerPlus

This opportunity came just two days thereafter when I had to travel on work. Rather than call a company car to travel 350km, pick me up and again take me there, I decided to do half the distance to Chitradurga by a KSRTC Volvo/EV, and have the company car pick me up from Chitradurga. Here came an opportunity to ride the KSRTC EV Power Plus. Fresh from the journey by the Nuego, I looked forward to some interesting comparisons.

The cockpit


View of the front from inside




Seats - no Ottoman


Seat recline


Cabin view


Views of the coach - looks stunning






View from inside while riding the bus - note the rear camera always on




After my ride, I also got to read fellow bhpian dailydriver's experience on a KSRTC EV PowerPlus (Intercity Bus travel reviews) Last edited by vigsom : 30th May at 18:11. Distinguished - BHPian  
Join Date: Feb Location: NSEW Posts: 4,009 Thanked: 29,816 Times Re: Intercity Electric Buses Review |Nuego Mytrah vs KSRTC Olectra Having now experienced two EVs, here are some comparisons - Nuego E-Bus vs KSRTC EV Power Plus - both were early manufactured

• Nuego - Mytrah Mobility MY12ACX4
• KSRTC EV Power Plus - Olectra Greentech EBuzz C9

Non-pictorial comparisons

1. Warning signals - too many nuisance warnings on the Mytrah eg. pedestrian warning, unsafe following distance, driver distraction, lane departure warning, collision warning; none on the Olectra
2. Acceleration - Mytrah 10/10 vs Olectra 10/10
3. Ride quality - Mytrah 9/10 vs Olectra 6/10 (too much of up and down movements on the Olectra)
4. Airconditioning - Mytrah 10/10 vs Olectra 9/10
5. Road noise - Mytrah 9/10 vs Olectra 7/10
6. Crew uniform - KSRTC's crew are probably as well turned out as some pilots
7. Crew demeanour - very courteous on both services

Pictorial Comparison - Nuego first and KSRTC EV next

1. Name plates - the Mytrah name plate had enough details professioannly punched while KSRTC Olectra name plate markings were like how we'd mark names on vessels; also didn't have details on Ah and KW




2. Console View - the Olectra console was better readable with a better angle but the dashboard seemed more worn out




adding to the mix is the cockpit in an Eicher


3. View of the front from inside - both offered a nice view




4. Tyres - the Nuego clearly had better tyres - Michelin which caused almost zero noise against the KSRTC's CEAT Winenergy which were mighty noisy. Both were Volvo B11R sized 295/80R22.5




5. Cabin views - both were pleasing with similar coloured seats and curtains




6. Seats - here Nuego's were way better




7. Seat recline - Nuego was better




8. Exterior looks - KSRTC was the better looking of the two


Last edited by vigsom : 30th May at 18:17. Distinguished - BHPian  
Join Date: Feb Location: NSEW Posts: 4,009 Thanked: 29,816 Times Re: Intercity Electric Buses Review |Nuego Mytrah vs KSRTC Olectra Another ride by a KSRTC Airavat Club Class to compare, contrast

Having ridden in these two EVs, I rode an Airavat Club Class Volvo B9R just to feel the difference, and it was clearly evident that the EV Power Plus was no match for the Airavat, in terms of ride or in terms of top speed.

Summing it up

If the head honchos at Greencell Mobility are seeing this post, I'd request them to act on the following:

1. quicken charging stops and make them no longer than 45 mins else they'd lose the plot
2. it might make sense to have a charged bus ready at the station, transfer folks from the arriving bus to the ready to move bus, and charge the arriving bus to be ready to pick up passengers from the next bus. This way, wait times at charging stops can be eliminated
2. fix bugs in the reservation system - bookings from Nuego and other aggregators are allowed even at departure time of the bus and as a result, their names don't appear on the charts and they get left behind; I saw two such cases - one at Trichy and one at Salem bypass

What I also foresee is the batteries losing State of Charge faster as time goes by and this might result in unforeseen breakdowns enroute, and that might be the last nail! Until passengers' concerns and pains around E-buses are addressed, for an average passenger like me, I'll still go the IC engine way unless, of course, it is a short 250km ride. Signing off with some pics from my recent ride in a 11 year old fantastically maintained Volvo B9R.

At the designated stop Shree Rathnam Dobbaspet


Enroute Dobbaspet to Sira


My experience with all KSRTC crew thus far - all smiles!
Last edited by vigsom : 30th May at 16:18. BHPian  
Join Date: Feb Location: Chennai Posts: 453 Thanked: 2,371 Times Re: Intercity Electric Buses Review | Nuego Mytrah vs KSRTC Olectra Thanks for sharing this.

The Omalur stop where you stopped for a charging break is where we stop to charge our car as well when we travel from Bangalore to Coimbatore on the ABB charger in front of the restaurant.

Hardly a year ago this restaurant used to see very less patronage, this charging stop for buses have completely changed the fortunes of this place. High quality restaurants with good infrastructure are going to be major beneficiaries of this electric transition in my opinion.

It's very safe to stay inside the car/bus while it charges because the passenger has no contact with the ground. In fact when the bus is moving as well it charges using regenerative breaking. In the ZS EV, I have seen regeneration producing up to 60 kW of energy while slowing down from high speeds equivalent to a DC fast charger.

I wish these companies continue to run the air con and let the passengers sit inside the bus while it is being charged. It's a major passenger experience turn off otherwise. BHPian  
Join Date: Aug Location: Dehradun Posts: 193 Thanked: 675 Times Re: Intercity Electric Buses Review | Nuego Mytrah vs KSRTC Olectra I had an awful experience! I’ve done two trips on the Neugo electric bus, Dehradun-Delhi and back. The bus wasn’t particularly clean, the horn noise was too audible inside, and on the Delhi-Dehradun run it is unable to complete the journey in one charge, apparently because in Delhi they have multiple pick up points and have to keep the AC on while standing and waiting. The worst thing was that their bespoke charging station at the midway point hadn’t been working for a while when we reached, because of a power cut. There was no fuel for the generator. And there were three buses in the charging queue before us. We finally got charged and moving after an hour and a half. This stop has two public chargers but they didn’t use those either. Disappointing really, because otherwise these electric buses run smoothly and well. Last edited by Vikram : 31st May at 16:16. Reason: Typo