Lima E-Bus Feasibility Study

WSP was retained by Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership (GSEP) to conduct a feasibility study for introducing electrified urban public transit via battery electric buses (BEBs) in Lima, Peru.

Location

Lima, Peru

Client

Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership

Project Status

Phase 1: Feasibility Study - Started July 2017, Completed October 2017. Phase 2: Vehicle Specification & Inspection (in progress)

Feasibility Study

The project objective is to study the feasibility of fully incorporating a BEB into a public transit line, preferably on a bus route with a high percentage of student clientele requiring transport between downtown Lima and the University of Lima campus.

Client Brief/Project Challenges

WSP provided the following services as a part of the feasibility study:

Transit Route Service Assessment for the introduction of electric buses
Addressing the challenge of evaluating electric buses in a new market, including operating conditions of passengers, stops, elevations and vehicle schematics.
Vehicle Configuration and Recommendations for electric buses to suit route needs/requirements, utilizing the Battery Optimization and Lifecycle Tool (BOLT) to determine the feasibility of operating BEBs
BEB Vehicle Specification Development and Production Quality assurance oversight
Facility and Charging Infrastructure (end point) Assessment and Feasibility of installation at identified site locations.
Operations & Maintenance Impact Assessment of electric buses in Peru; identifications of gaps to be addressed for managing new technology
Environmental Impact Assessment, including GHG reductions
Total Lifecycle Cost Model of electric buses
User Experience Analysis
Pilot Project Strategy, including recommendation of an optimal route for the pilot

Our Approach

WSP analyzed and evaluated the potential for piloting electric buses using its proprietary simulation Battery Optimization and Lifecycle Tool (BOLT). Furthermore, WSP developed a Total Lifecycle Cost for electric buses.

Outcome/Client Benefits

WSP recommended the route to be selected for an electric bus pilot program, and identified other options, including BRT electrification and an 18m bus option. WSP developed the methodology for the management and monitoring of the pilot and provided insight on supporting a greater public awareness of the advantages of clean energy and access to a new technology for the Lima transportation system. WSP performed the following: