The Battery Cycle: shedding light on batteries through a series of knowledge articles [2025 RELEASE] - Sustainable Bus

"The battery is the last relevant remaining wearing part of an electric vehicle - and by far the most expensive. Apart from tyres and wipers, there's no oil change, no complex exhaust system and even braking is largely done by the engine itself, sparing the mechanical brakes. Together with modest electricity prices, battery-electric transport should thus in principle be a care-free, straightforward and especially economical alternative to our well-known ICE vehicles."

"In less than four years, the European e-bus market has experienced significant growth. Currently, battery-electric buses account for 46% of new city bus registrations in the EU. In countries such as Norway, Slovenia, Denmark, and the Netherlands, the share of zero-emission buses has reached 100%. With dozens of manufacturers (OEMs), both legacy and evolving battery chemistries like lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA), and growing regulatory pressure, the battery has transitioned from a mysterious component to a mission-critical one."

The battery is the last relevant remaining wearing part of an electric vehicle and the most expensive. Apart from tyres and wipers, there is no oil change, no complex exhaust system, and braking is largely done regeneratively, sparing mechanical brakes. Modest electricity prices make battery-electric transport potentially straightforward and economical compared with ICE vehicles. Significant challenges remain, including poor media coverage and large information asymmetry around batteries. Battery analytics are crucial in 2025 as the European e-bus market grows rapidly, with 46% of new city bus registrations in the EU and several countries reaching 100% zero-emission buses.

Read at Sustainable Bus