Literature Review of Electric Heavy Duty Vehicles and Charging Standards

Abstract

Battery electric transit buses are a technology experiencing a rapid rise in popularity due to high fuel prices and the need to stop climate change. This literature review will explore the strategies and successes of the rollout of electric buses by transit agencies, different available high power charging standards, the funding for the transition to electric buses and related infrastructure, and the possibility of increased energy density for future batteries. Transit agencies have rolled out battery electric buses with varying rates of success, from one having an exclusively electric fleet to one giving up entirely on battery buses. The three primary charging methods are by cable, by an overhead port, and wirelessly with inductive charging. Transit agencies can take advantage of numerous state and federal grants to upgrade their fleets with new buses and charging stations. There is significant room for improvement in the energy density of lithium ion batteries.