Electric buses don't like the cold, study finds | Cornell Chronicle

In Ithaca, TCAT's pilot program for all-electric buses faced significant challenges due to colder weather, impacting reliability and range. Cornell researchers analyzed data from this pilot, discovering that buses consumed 48% more energy in extreme cold, complicating operations. Their findings are critical for cities and organizations considering electric fleets, emphasizing the necessity for manufacturers to design buses that accommodate varying climates. This study represents a noteworthy exploration of electric bus performance in the northeastern United States, leveraging two years of operational data and promising improvements to bus functionality in frigid conditions.

The researchers found that the electric buses consumed 48% more energy in cold weather and recommended improvements to enhance performance under diverse conditions.

One of the lessons we've learned is that these buses should be designed for the whole country, including states with colder climates.

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