Comparison between electrical-powered and diesel buses for public transportation in Egypt

Abstract EN

Travel in Egypt is dominated by private cars, comprising 48.2% of Egypt passenger trips, with limited use of all other modes.

reliance on personal automobiles has resulted in widespread growth, severe traffic congestion, and few public transportation options.

overcrowding means an increase in harmful emissions and reliance on diesel-powered buses for most public transportation adds to the emissions produced.

as a result, emerging technologies to reduce emissions and costs, and to attract more travelers to improved transit services should be considered.

this research aims to estimate electric-powered buses’ social costs and benefits represented by a reduction in vehicle operating cost, travel time, and air pollution with a concentration on the calculation to using formulas that suit the Egyptian conditions.

benefits calculation models will be applied to a specific bus route, which has two working models of buses on it.

one is diesel and the other is an electrically powered bus.

the comparison between them was made using data collected from Mwasalat Misr-one of the companies working in the field of passenger transport in Egypt-and also by conducting interviews and asking questions to some makers-decision and users of both busses models.

results indicate that one electric bus has a much higher equivalent annual value (EAV) than one fossil fuel- bus.

plus, the annual maintenance cost of one diesel bus is also higher than the electric bus.

consequently, although an electric bus can annually save 95000 L.E (6035 $) from fuel consumption, its annual vehicle cost (AVC) is 579225 L.E (36796 $), which is higher than another diesel bus.

in terms of air pollution evaluation, the value of the damage cost resulting from harmful gas emissions from one diesel bus is 173291 L.E (11,000 $) per year.

the findings tell fleet operators and manufacturers about the financial ramifications of switching a bus fleet to electric power, as well as the cost factors that allow electric buses to outperform diesel buses and the societal benefits of converting to sustainable clean energy.