3 ms·

TFA has great practical information about the switch from diesel to battery. A few examples: * How do you arrange parked buses in a garage so that they can cha

TFA has great practical information about the switch from diesel to battery. A few examples: * How do you arrange parked buses in a garage so that they can charge? Diagrams included! * Purchase cost: 2x up front compared to diesel, but improving * Operating cost: 50% lower than diesel (but labor—hiring the driver—is still 60%)

lallysingh 8y ago
Any comparison of noise generated by these buses? Of changes in the on-time rate due to changed handling/acceleration? How much smoke did the diesels put out?
- icebraining 8y ago
  The noise inside the bus seems quite annoying: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEKJSMqhYKk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEKJSMqhYKk
  - Tade0 8y ago
    I've been in one of these. The noise is noticeable but not nearly as offensive as a diesel bus engine revving. Also there's no idling that would normally cause vibrations.
    - Reason077 8y ago
      Yes, it's a much more relaxing ride compared to a diesel bus. Smooth and quiet. The noise seems to be exaggerated somewhat in that video - in real life it's pretty subtle.
jeffwass 8y ago
No inclusion of the knock-on benefits of NHS savings from fewer cases of diesel exhaust complications.
- gascan 8y ago
  Yeah, but that comes out of someone else's budget, so who cares right?
- jdavis703 8y ago
  What if having people die early from diesel fumes winds up saving NHS more money though [0]? 0: https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/18/news/tobacco-giants-analysis-says-premature-deaths-cut-costs-in-pensions-and.html https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/18/news/tobacco-giants-analy...
woodandsteel 8y ago
In discussing the economics, the article neglected to mention the huge reduction in maintenance costs.
- londons_explore 8y ago
  I wonder if it is that big? Your car maintenance you'll typically spend 4 hours for an annual service, at $50 per hour. Total: $200 A bus in a depot uses in house staff ($25 per hour), and since all the busses are identical and they're probably performing the same service on 5 at a time, probably only works out to an hour per bus. Total cost $25. Thats so small compared to the salary of the driver who drives it around normally, maintenance cost might not be a significant part of the equation.

lallysingh 8y ago

Any comparison of noise generated by these buses? Of changes in the on-time rate due to changed handling/acceleration? How much smoke did the diesels put out?

icebraining 8y ago
The noise inside the bus seems quite annoying: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEKJSMqhYKk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEKJSMqhYKk
- Tade0 8y ago
  I've been in one of these. The noise is noticeable but not nearly as offensive as a diesel bus engine revving. Also there's no idling that would normally cause vibrations.
  - Reason077 8y ago
    Yes, it's a much more relaxing ride compared to a diesel bus. Smooth and quiet. The noise seems to be exaggerated somewhat in that video - in real life it's pretty subtle.

jeffwass 8y ago

No inclusion of the knock-on benefits of NHS savings from fewer cases of diesel exhaust complications.

gascan 8y ago
Yeah, but that comes out of someone else's budget, so who cares right?
jdavis703 8y ago
What if having people die early from diesel fumes winds up saving NHS more money though [0]? 0: https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/18/news/tobacco-giants-analysis-says-premature-deaths-cut-costs-in-pensions-and.html https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/18/news/tobacco-giants-analy...

woodandsteel 8y ago

In discussing the economics, the article neglected to mention the huge reduction in maintenance costs.

londons_explore 8y ago
I wonder if it is that big? Your car maintenance you'll typically spend 4 hours for an annual service, at $50 per hour. Total: $200 A bus in a depot uses in house staff ($25 per hour), and since all the busses are identical and they're probably performing the same service on 5 at a time, probably only works out to an hour per bus. Total cost $25. Thats so small compared to the salary of the driver who drives it around normally, maintenance cost might not be a significant part of the equation.