Emissions from a fuel-fired heater on a battery electric coach: Tests in China

In northern regions of China, where winter temperatures can reach -20 °C, electric bus operators and fleet managers typically install auxiliary heating devices known as fuel-fired heaters (FFHs) to maximize the driving range of buses and coaches. This paper aims to fill the research gap in the rapid growth of FFHs installed on electric buses or coaches in China, particularly concerning emissions performance under cold temperatures.

To provide quantitative data in support of future policy approaches, our study focuses on a broad set of pollutants, including greenhouse gases and PM, which are not currently regulated by any national or regional regulations. 

Our findings indicate that new standards could be enacted—with compliance enforced by rigorous testing and monitoring—to help maintain the environmental integrity of electric buses and coaches, reduce real-world emissions, and support the overall transition to sustainable transportation.