Preparing to succeed: Fleet-wide planning is key in the transition to electric buses
Consulting report
South Africa’s green mobility flagship project: Leeto la Polokwane
This report identifies the least-cost technology pathways for improving air quality and reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the Leeto la Polokwane bus fleet operating in the City of Polokwane, South Africa. Based on these pathways, the report provides a fleetwide emissions control strategy that sets ambitious climate and air quality goals. Through assessment of technology and fuel pathways, emissions modeling, and total cost of ownership analysis (TCO), the report makes recommendations to Leeto la Polokwane as a flagship model for South Africa.
Transit operators in Polokwane are using the best diesel technology available to them now. Continuing to do so for their service expansion goals won’t reduce ensure reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and local pollution over time. However, there are alternative bus technologies and fuel pathways that are consistent with the goal of decarbonization.
Four technology options were explored for adoption in Polokwane: diesel Euro VI, diesel hybrid Euro VI, compressed natural gas (CNG) Euro VI, and battery electric buses (BEB). The report compares costs across technologies and adapted to local conditions through a total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, which considers the upfront purchase costs of buses and infrastructure as well as the operational costs of fuel/energy use and maintenance.