New charging solution boosts sustainable electric vehicles (and reduces energy consumption)

Context: Reducing CO2 emissions with renewable energy 

In Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, Keolis Norge operates and maintains the Keolis Group’s first 100% decarbonized bus network: a fleet of 138 buses powered by alternative energies, including 102 electric vehicles. These electric vehicles have introduced a new maintenance challenge for Keolis: it was essential to design an efficient and sustainable battery charging solution to extend their lifespan as much as possible. 

In order to cut the CO2 emissions of this fleet by 85% compared to diesel-powered buses over the 10 years of its contract, the subsidiary faced two major challenges. On the one hand, the charging solution ensured that each bus is fully charged every morning so it could run the full service it was planned for, even in harsh winter conditions, and on the other hand, it improved the lifespan of the battery and charging infrastructure.  

Innovation: A charging solution to guarantee urban electric mobility  

In partnership with suppliers from China, Iceland, and Germany, Keolis Norge co-developed a charging solution to solve this challenge. Despite the Covid-19 global health crisis, the teams prepared a solution integrating an Operational Control Center (OCC), which provides a precise overview of the State of Charge (SoC) of each bus to detect and solve any charging issues, and a smart charging approach to adapt charging power to the needs and characteristics of each bus. This offers a crucial advantage when operating a large fleet of electric vehicles in a country with harsh winter conditions.  

Benefits: Enhanced safety, equipment life, and energy efficiency  

By allowing the early and automated detection of defects, the charging solution ensures the robust operation of electric buses, while limiting the risks posed to staff or passengers. In addition, the smart charging system ensures that each bus is charged to its optimal power, thus maximizing the lifespan of charging infrastructure and vehicle batteries, while simultaneously improving energy efficiency and lowering electricity costs. Lastly, the SoC overview provided by the OCC boosts employee engagement by empowering staff to respond to charging process incidents in real-time.  

Next steps: Completing the roll-out of the system and replicating its success  

After concluding the technical test phase, Keolis Norge is now proceeding with the full operational roll-out of the charging solution, notably by training its staff. With expertise in urban electric mobility and in managing and operating very large electric vehicle bus fleets gained on this project, Keolis now stands as a trusted partner and key player in the energy transition. Building on the lessons learned in Bergen, Keolis can apply its skills and tools at other electric vehicle bus depots around the world.

Keolis is increasing the deployment of its electric and autonomous vehicles, thereby building green and sustainable public transit networks, which in turn lead to reduced CO2 emissions. With this progressive roll-out, Keolis is underscoring its commitment to the electric vehicles of the future.