Take the (electric) bus: Public transport and air pollution | WSP Skip to content
WSP WSP
WSP WSP
  • Who we are

    We are the sum of our collective passion, vision and expertise.

    Discover our people, purpose and stories that have helped shape the organisation we are today and are inspiring the one we will become.

    Who we are
    • What We Stand For
    • Our Story
    • Corporate Responsibility
    • Leadership Team
    • Future Ready
    Corporate Responsibility
    • #EngineeredOurWay
    • Communities
    • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Ethics and Integrity
    • Health and Safety
    • Indigenous Participation
    • Setting Up Projects for Success
    • Sustainability
    Featured Content
    thn-future-ready

    Future Ready™

    With Future Ready we see the future more clearly and challenge our teams across the world to advise…

  • What We Do

    We shape the communities of tomorrow and help society thrive.

    With an intimate sense of local realities, we look at complex problems from different angles and deliver solutions that break paradigms.


    View All

    • Sectors
    • Services
    • Projects
    What We Do
    • Property and Buildings
    • Transport and Infrastructure
    • Environment and Water
    • Resources, Industry and Energy
    • Advisory & Digital
    Property and Buildings
    • Aged Care
    • Biotech and Pharmaceutical
    • Commercial and Mixed Use
    • Convention and Civic
    • Cultural
    • Defence
    • Education
    • Healthcare
    • Hospitality
    • Indigenous Specialist Services
    • Mission Critical Facilities
    • Residential
    • Retail
    • Science
    • Science
    • Sports and Stadia
    • Timber
    • Workplace
    Transport and Infrastructure
    • Aviation
    • Bridges and Structures
    • Cities
    • Freight
    • Indigenous Specialist Services
    • Ports
    • Rail and Transit
    • Roads
    • Smart Mobility
    • Transport Advisory
    • Tunnels
    Environment and Water
    • Ecology
    • Environment
    • Environment, Health and Safety
    • Environmental Planning
    • Indigenous Specialist Services
    • Occupational Health and Hygiene
    • Stakeholder Engagement
    • Water
    • Water Infrastructure
    • Water Management
    • Water Treatment
    Resources, Industry and Energy
    • Hydropower
    • Indigenous Specialist Services
    • Mining
    • Power
    • Solar
    • Thermal Energy and Bioenergy
    • Wind Energy
    Advisory & Digital
    • Climate Change and Resilience
    • Communications & Engagement
    • Digital Solutions
    • Indigenous Specialist Services
    • Infrastructure Advisory
    • Strategy, Community & Place
    • Sustainability
    Featured Content
    thn-activating-regional-places-SAPs

    Activating Regional Places

    Can we create regional cities that thrive for decades to come?

  • Insights

    Our global experts offer compelling insights that provide new perspectives.

    Read inspiring articles that challenge the status quo by reframing current issues, sparking fresh conversations and finding new solutions.

    View all
    Insights
    • Climate
    • Mobility
    • Places
    • Resources
    • Society
    • Technology
    Featured Content
    thn-rapid-responses-to-covid-19-impacts-campaign

    Rapid Responses to COVID-19 Impacts

    WSP is focused on supporting our clients to control the spread of COVID-19, maintain business…

  • Careers

    Help us shape the future

    Join a collaborative team of experts that thrives on complex challenges and unconventional thinking.

    See more
    Careers
    • Join Us
    • Early Career
    • Experienced Professionals
    • Why Choose WSP
    Featured Content
    thn-engineeredourway

    #engineeredOURway

    Following on from the success of #EngineeredHERWay in 2017, #EngineeredOURWay continues to elevate the…

  • Who we are
    • What We Stand For
    • Our Story
    • Corporate Responsibility
      • Who we are
      • Accountable for Tomorrow
        • #EngineeredOurWay
        • Communities
        • Corporate Governance
        • Diversity and Inclusion
        • Ethics and Integrity
        • Health and Safety
        • Indigenous Participation
        • Setting Up Projects for Success
        • Sustainability
    • Leadership Team
    • Future Ready
  • What We Do
    • Property and Buildings
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Aged Care
        • Biotech and Pharmaceutical
        • Commercial and Mixed Use
        • Convention and Civic
        • Cultural
        • Defence
        • Education
        • Healthcare
        • Hospitality
        • Indigenous Specialist Services
        • Mission Critical Facilities
        • Residential
        • Retail
        • Science
        • Science
        • Sports and Stadia
        • Timber
        • Workplace
    • Transport and Infrastructure
      • What We Do
        • Aviation
        • Bridges and Structures
        • Cities
        • Freight
        • Indigenous Specialist Services
        • Ports
        • Rail and Transit
        • Roads
        • Smart Mobility
        • Transport Advisory
        • Tunnels
    • Environment and Water
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Ecology
        • Environment
        • Environment, Health and Safety
        • Environmental Planning
        • Indigenous Specialist Services
        • Occupational Health and Hygiene
        • Stakeholder Engagement
        • Water
        • Water Infrastructure
        • Water Management
        • Water Treatment
    • Resources, Industry and Energy
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Hydropower
        • Indigenous Specialist Services
        • Mining
        • Power
        • Solar
        • Thermal Energy and Bioenergy
        • Wind Energy
    • Advisory & Digital
      • What We Do
      • Expertise at your service
        • Climate Change and Resilience
        • Communications & Engagement
        • Digital Solutions
        • Indigenous Specialist Services
        • Infrastructure Advisory
        • Strategy, Community & Place
        • Sustainability
  • Insights
    • Climate
    • Mobility
    • Places
    • Resources
    • Society
    • Technology
  • Careers
    • Join Us
    • Early Career
    • Experienced Professionals
    • Why Choose WSP
Back

We are locally dedicated with international scale.

Australia - English

International

  • Global
    English - Français

Americas

  • Canada
    English - Français
  • Chile
    Español
  • Colombia
    Español
  • Mexico
    Español
  • Panama
    Español
  • Peru
    Español
  • United States
    English

Africa

  • South Africa
    English

Asia

  • China
    中文(简体) - English
  • Hong Kong
    English
  • India
    English
  • Malaysia
    English
  • Philippines
    English
  • Singapore
    English
  • South Korea
    한국어(대한민국) - English
  • Thailand
    English

Europe

  • Denmark
    Dansk
  • Finland
    Suomi
  • France
    Français
  • Germany
    Deutsch
  • Greenland
    English - Kalaallisut
  • Netherlands
    Nederlands
  • Norway
    Norsk
  • Poland
    Polski - English
  • Romania
    English
  • Spain
    Español
  • Sweden
    Svenska - English
  • Switzerland
    Deutsch - English
  • United Kingdom
    English

Middle East

  • Kuwait
    English
  • Oman
    English
  • Qatar
    English
  • Saudi Arabia
    English
  • United Arab Emirates
    English

Oceania

  • Australia
    English
  • New Zealand
    English
Worldwide Offices
    • Investors

      Discover our diverse business, financial results and strategic ambitions.

      We are committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders and exceptional professional services to our clients.

      Read more
      Investors
      • Corporate Governance
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
      • Stock Information
      • Shareholder Information
      • Presentations and Events
      Corporate Governance
      • Audit Committee
      • Board of Directors
      • Business Conduct Hotline
      • Constating Documents
      • Governance Documents
      • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
      • Mandates
      Reports & Filings
      • AIF
      • Annual
      • Information Circular
      • Quarterly
      • SEDAR Filings
      • Sustainability
      Stock Information
      • Analyst Coverage
      Shareholder Information
      • Acquisitions
      • Dividends
      • Drip
      • FAQ
      Featured Content

      WSP's 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

      This year again, the Corporation will be holding its Meeting as a completely virtual meeting, which…

    • Investors
      • Corporate Governance
        • Investors
        • Corporate Governance
          • Audit Committee
          • Board of Directors
          • Business Conduct Hotline
          • Constating Documents
          • Governance Documents
          • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
          • Mandates
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
        • Investors
        • REPORTS & FILINGS
          • AIF
          • Annual
          • Information Circular
          • Quarterly
          • SEDAR Filings
          • Sustainability
      • Stock Information
        • Investors
        • Stock Information
          • Analyst Coverage
      • Shareholder Information
        • Investors
        • Shareholder Information
          • Acquisitions
          • Dividends
          • Drip
          • FAQ
      • Presentations and Events
    • Events
    • News
    • Contact us

      We are dedicated to our local communities and driven by global talent.

      Contact us to find out how our diversified offering, world-class expertise and geographical reach can assist you in achieving your vision.


      Follow us

      Contact us
      • Talk to us
      • Offices
      Featured Content
      thn-helping-our-clients-respond

      Helping Our Clients Respond to Dynamic Needs

      During these unprecedented times, how we respond to the dynamic situations unfolding in front of us,…

    • Investors

      Discover our diverse business, financial results and strategic ambitions.

      We are committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders and exceptional professional services to our clients.

      Read more
      Investors
      • Corporate Governance
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
      • Stock Information
      • Shareholder Information
      • Presentations and Events
      Corporate Governance
      • Audit Committee
      • Board of Directors
      • Business Conduct Hotline
      • Constating Documents
      • Governance Documents
      • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
      • Mandates
      Reports & Filings
      • AIF
      • Annual
      • Information Circular
      • Quarterly
      • SEDAR Filings
      • Sustainability
      Stock Information
      • Analyst Coverage
      Shareholder Information
      • Acquisitions
      • Dividends
      • Drip
      • FAQ
      Featured Content

      WSP's 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

      This year again, the Corporation will be holding its Meeting as a completely virtual meeting, which…

    • Investors
      • Corporate Governance
        • Investors
        • Corporate Governance
          • Audit Committee
          • Board of Directors
          • Business Conduct Hotline
          • Constating Documents
          • Governance Documents
          • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
          • Mandates
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
        • Investors
        • REPORTS & FILINGS
          • AIF
          • Annual
          • Information Circular
          • Quarterly
          • SEDAR Filings
          • Sustainability
      • Stock Information
        • Investors
        • Stock Information
          • Analyst Coverage
      • Shareholder Information
        • Investors
        • Shareholder Information
          • Acquisitions
          • Dividends
          • Drip
          • FAQ
      • Presentations and Events
    • Events
    • News
    • Contact us
      • Talk to us
      • Offices
  1. Home
  2. Insights
  3. Take the electric bus- public transport and air pollution

Take the (electric) bus: Public transport and air pollution

Replacing old fleets is one of the quickest routes to cutting pollutants
Thursday, 1 October 2020
Reading Time : 3 minutes

This article was originally published in August 2019 in WSP’s magazine The Possible

Getting on the bus rather than taking your car has long been a tenet of green city living — an orthodoxy that is somewhat challenged when you look at the greatest sources of NOx and particulates in many major cities. Although there are far fewer buses than cars, their large diesel engines, combined with stop-start journeys and idling at stops, means that a city’s bus fleet can produce more pollution than all its petrol cars combined. Of even greater concern might be the fact that a disproportionate amount of bus emissions occur when the bus is leaving a stop — so those waiting for the next bus can experience up to 150 times the pollution levels of pedestrians just a block away.

Cleaner diesels, hybrids and gas-powered buses are improving the situation for those cities able to adopt them. Cleanest of all, with virtually zero emissions, are electric buses. Replacing the oldest, dirtiest buses with electric models can be one of the quickest and most effective ways to reduce both NOx and particulates in city streets.

“So far the main barrier preventing cities from doing this is the upfront cost,” says Nick Albanese, an expert in electric transport with BloombergNEF. “At between US$570-870,000, they are around $250,000 more expensive than diesel equivalents. For this reason their adoption has been limited to places like China, California and Europe where government subsidies have made up the difference.”

They also require charging infrastructure. Newer electric buses have 350kWh batteries with a range of more than 200 miles, enough for a whole day of journeys, before they are charged overnight in the depot. “These are the pricier buses,” says Albanese. “Cheaper, lower range models can still be useful for shorter routes.”

Another way of dealing with range issues is to install wireless induction charging technology — for example, at bus stops — so buses can pick up a charge along with passengers. Chattanooga in Tennessee is one of a limited number of cities adopting this technology. “In general this kind of infrastructure is expensive and charging tends to be slower,” says Albanese.

Such innovations could soon be superseded by rapid improvements in batteries. “Battery costs have reduced by over 85% since 2010. The technology is also better. Some municipalities were concerned about batteries not performing well in cold weather, for example, but many of these concerns have now been addressed by manufacturers.”

Currently some 99% of the world’s electric buses are operating in China, where they comprise 18% of all buses, according to BloombergNEF’s 2019 Long-Term Electric Vehicle Outlook. In comparison, electric buses represent just over 1% of all municipal buses in Europe. The UK now leads the way with 381 buses, narrowly overtaking the Netherlands, which has 371.

The picture is changing swiftly, however, and by 2030 Albanese believes things will look very different. “Technological and manufacturing improvements mean that price parity with diesels should occur around 2030 or perhaps even earlier. That will be a game-changer.” Major regulatory moves will also put far more e-buses on our roads: California has said that all new buses procured by cities must be zero emission by 2029, and the EU wants 33% of buses to be “clean” by 2030. Many cities, including London and Amsterdam, are imposing stricter targets.

Ironically, says Albanese, it is the rapid improvement in technology that is delaying adoption of electric fleets in some areas. “Cities are calculating that electric buses will soon be cheaper and better, so they think they will wait until they are better value.”

For those queuing for the bus, however, the wait will not be a pleasant one.

This article appeared in The Possible issue 05, as part of a longer feature on improving air quality in cities

 

 


More on this subject

Lab-Podcast-thn

May 2022

Podcast: Designing Net Zero Labs

United States
Podcast
WSP-and-Engineering-Matters , Climate , Decarbonization
thn-net-zero-hospitals-563x220

April 2022 | 5 Minutes

Net zero healthcare: Envisioning an all-electric future for hospitals

Blog
Technology
thn-Carterton-Events-Centre

April 2022 | 10 Minutes

Harnessing Built Heritage For Climate Action

Blog
Climate , Decarbonization
Solar and Wind Energy

April 2022

What will our transition to renewable energy look like?

Australia
Blog
Energy Transition , Climate
Western Australia's mining industry faces the challenge of building climate resilience

March 2022

How can Western Australia’s mining sector increase its climate resilience?

Australia
Blog
Resources , Society , Climate
ThnHeroQAWWD2022

March 2022 | 6 minutes

Spotlight on Threats to our Groundwater Resources

Blog
Climate , Resilience , Society , Resources , Biodiversity
enerkem-thn-podcast

March 2022

Podcast: Turning non-recyclable waste into low-carbon intensive biofuel

Canada
Podcast
WSP-and-Engineering-Matters , Climate , Decarbonization , Resources
thn-Nutashkuan Innu First Nation community

March 2022

Protecting the Nutashkuan Innu First Nation Community Throughout Flood Events

Feature
Climate , Resilience
thn-Evolving Water Management to Strengthen Communities

March 2022

Evolving Water Management to Strengthen Communities

Feature
Resilience , Climate
thn-Safeguarding Groundwater

March 2022

Safeguarding Groundwater Resources: A View From Denmark

Feature
Resilience , Climate
thn-5 thoughts about timber

January 2022 | 6 Minutes

5 Thoughts on Mass Timber

Blog
Resources
thn-Kaituna-maketu-web

January 2022

Podcast: Enhancing an Estuary, Restoring a River

New Zealand
Podcast
WSP-and-Engineering-Matters , Places , Biodiversity , Climate

Share this page

  • Share on Facebook - Warning, this link will open a new tab.
  • Share on Linkedin - Warning, this link will open a new tab.
  • Share on Twitter - Warning, this link will open a new tab.
  • Share on Skype - Warning, this link will open your Skype application.

Related themes and tags

  • Climate (72)

  • Resources (60)


  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • Who We Are
  • What We Stand For
  • Our Story
  • Future Ready
  • Leadership Team
  • Global Leadership
  • Our Offices
  • What We Do
  • Sectors
  • Services
  • Projects
  • Insights
  • Climate
  • Mobility
  • Places
  • Society
  • Resources
  • Technology
  • Careers
  • AU Job Opportunities
  • Spontaneous Applications Page will open in a new tab
  • Corporate
  • Sustainability
  • Health and Safety
  • Investors
  • Business Conduct Hotline
  • News
  • Corporate Governance
  • Ethics and Integrity
    ©2022 WSP
    • The WSP Logo
    • Privacy Policy
    • Anti-Spam Commitment
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
    ©2022 WSP

    Exiting our Website

    You are about to leave WSP.com and are being redirected to a job opportunity at Louis Berger, which has been recently acquired by WSP in the US.