The U.S. electric bus market generated revenue worth $445.7 million in 2018 and is projected to register a CAGR of 23.9% during 2019–2024. Among vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles held the largest share in the market during the historical period.
Advanced hybrid electric buses are currently being deployed by many transit agencies in the U.S. Moreover, public and private investments over the last two decades have facilitated development of the technology used in these buses to the point where it has become viable and competitive with respect to an internal combustion engine (ICE). This has supported the dominance of this category in the US electric bus market.
Growing preference for depot charge buses is the key trend observed in the U.S. electric bus market. Battery electric buses are currently offered in two models. One is a short-range bus that uses small on-board batteries for traction, which are charged en route. The other is an extended-range bus that is equipped with larger on-board batteries, which undergo slow overnight charging. In the past, the majority of the buses procured in the country were on-route charge buses; however, recent procurement orders have majorly been for depot charge buses. This is due to the similar operational characteristics of these buses as those of conventional diesel buses. Furthermore, with improving battery technology, the range of depot charge buses is improving, enabling longer route coverage.
Segmentation Analysis of U.S. Electric Bus Market
The U.S. electric bus market is currently in its nascent phase, with the presence of few key manufacturers. Some of the major battery electric bus manufacturers in the country are Proterra Inc., BYD Motors Inc., and NFI Group Inc. Furthermore, key hybrid electric bus manufacturers in the market are GILLIG LLC and NFI Group Inc.
In April 2019, Allison Transmission Inc. unveiled new ABE series, the first e-axle advanced ultra-low floor electric bus powertrain system at the Advanced Clean Advanced Clean Transportation Expo. Furthermore, in December 2018, NFI Group Inc. announced that it was awarded a contract for seven 40-foot battery electric Xcelsior Charge heavy-duty transit buses by the Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA).
Some other notable players operating in the U.S. electric bus market are Blue Bird Corporation, GreenPower Motor Company Inc., COBUS Industries GmbH, ElDorado National California Inc. and Nova Bus Corporation.
Global Electric Bus Market Research Report by P&S Intelligence
Advanced hybrid electric buses are currently being deployed by many transit agencies in the U.S. Moreover, public and private investments over the last two decades have facilitated development of the technology used in these buses to the point where it has become viable and competitive with respect to an internal combustion engine (ICE). This has supported the dominance of this category in the US electric bus market.
Growing preference for depot charge buses is the key trend observed in the U.S. electric bus market. Battery electric buses are currently offered in two models. One is a short-range bus that uses small on-board batteries for traction, which are charged en route. The other is an extended-range bus that is equipped with larger on-board batteries, which undergo slow overnight charging. In the past, the majority of the buses procured in the country were on-route charge buses; however, recent procurement orders have majorly been for depot charge buses. This is due to the similar operational characteristics of these buses as those of conventional diesel buses. Furthermore, with improving battery technology, the range of depot charge buses is improving, enabling longer route coverage.
Segmentation Analysis of U.S. Electric Bus Market
- Battery electric buses are registering faster growth in demand across the country, primarily due to the support of federal and state governments (in form of subsidies and grants) for the adoption of zero-emission buses. Furthermore, plug-in hybrids may not play any significant role in the near future in the U.S. electric bus market, mainly due to their manufacturing complexity, high cost, and tailpipe emissions.
- Electric buses with length more than 40 feet are expected to remain the larger category in the market during 2019–2024. This is primarily due to the difference in fuel mileage in diesel hybrid and diesel buses, which favors hybrid technology for longer articulated buses.
- Electric buses that run on lithium-ion batteries are gaining popularity and witnessing considerable growth in demand in the U.S. electric bus market. Lithium-ion batteries are safer than other batteries in the market and are, therefore, more preferred for large-sized electric buses. Furthermore, falling prices of these batteries, coupled with their advantages such as lower maintenance cost, smaller size, lighter weight, higher energy density, and lower self-discharge over nickel–metal hydride batteries, are supporting the market growth in this category.
- During the forecast period, inductive charging is expected to be the fastest-growing category in the U.S. electric bus market, as it facilitates faster charging, thus reducing the range anxiety of operators. Owning to this factor, several charging system manufacturers are collaborating with electric bus makers and public transit authorities to boost the adoption of these systems in the country.
The U.S. electric bus market is currently in its nascent phase, with the presence of few key manufacturers. Some of the major battery electric bus manufacturers in the country are Proterra Inc., BYD Motors Inc., and NFI Group Inc. Furthermore, key hybrid electric bus manufacturers in the market are GILLIG LLC and NFI Group Inc.
In April 2019, Allison Transmission Inc. unveiled new ABE series, the first e-axle advanced ultra-low floor electric bus powertrain system at the Advanced Clean Advanced Clean Transportation Expo. Furthermore, in December 2018, NFI Group Inc. announced that it was awarded a contract for seven 40-foot battery electric Xcelsior Charge heavy-duty transit buses by the Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA).
Some other notable players operating in the U.S. electric bus market are Blue Bird Corporation, GreenPower Motor Company Inc., COBUS Industries GmbH, ElDorado National California Inc. and Nova Bus Corporation.
Global Electric Bus Market Research Report by P&S Intelligence
