China has 421,000 electric buses; the United States has 300. Thanks to the government's massive support of electrically powered buses, they now make up more than 50% of the world's new bus sales
[photo]. China has won the war against fossil fueled powered buses that are dirty, noisy and expensive to maintain. Just ask anyone who has driven behind a diesel powered bus in town. Cities have tried alternatives, but nothing beats an electric bus for efficiency, reliability and lower operating costs--running at just one-fourth the cost of traditional fuel powered buses. In the typical ten to twelve year life span for an urban bus, electric ones can save $400,000 in total operating costs compared to diesel. A major hurdle to using electric transport is building infrastructure to support it. China has a serious air pollution problem, so the government is willing to invest in building the needed charging stations. Geography also plays a role. In hilly cities, like Hong Kong, electric buses cannot
make the grade. Electric buses cost more, but the cost differential is dropping due to lower battery costs.
The difference between a diesel and electric bus is now $200,000
Shenzen was the first Chinese megalopolis to convert to electric urban transport; the city aided by a $150,000 grant per bus offered by the national government.
[photo credit, Getty Images] The conversion was completed in 2017; Shenzen now has 16,000 electric buses serving 13 million residents. The former fishing village of 30,000 says that it will achieve a 48% reduction in carbon emissions. The new transports are so quiet that the city has received requests to equip them with artificial noise to give warning of their proximity. Given the success of Shenzen's switch to clean transport, Beijing now requires all cities set a deadline for converting. Thirty Chinese cities have made plans to use 100% electric by 2020,
says the UK Guardian. In contrast, New York city does not plan to electrify its fleet until 2040. In US municipalities strapped for cash purchasing decisions are driven by upfront costs. So with the absence of government incentives and commitment to building a fossil fuel-free future, the US has lagged in electric bus sales.
