Enchancing the Efficiency of your E-Bus Fleet – with Statistical Data from eBMS

When it comes to increasing efficiency in vehicle fleet utilization, best possible deployment planning with regard to e-bus charging times and ranges are decisive.  By Hauke Hansen

Vehicle energy consumption/requirement determine the range and these, in turn, depend on various factors. When it comes to deployment planning, season-dependent consumption and route topographies have to be taken into account. Fleet structure with different vehicle types from various generations are also crucial factors. 

To be able to take consumption into account when planning deployment, this information must first be collected and protocolled. The finer the evaluation structure, the more usefully the data can be applied.

A depot management system (eBMS) is responsible for planning deployment of the (electric) buses. Data is imported via interfaces and augmented with proprietary data. The result is a growing database. Proprietary statistics can be compiled using data from daily e-bus operation with a fully-fledged depot management system. With proprietary e-bus statistics, BMS becomes a high-performing e-bus management system. The charging times of the e-buses in the depot are an important variable for allocation purposes. Charging time is relevant in the allocation of runrounds, in particular for block set-ups of the vehicle fleet. Further restrictions can apply here, for example a 2:1 distribution of parking places and charging points which can charge either one vehicle after the other or with shared power output. Data on vehicle energy consumption and requirements are relevant for runrounds. Analyses of the proprietary data by the eBMS enable knowledge build-up on operations and their potential. Together with automatic vehicle allocation by eBMS, optimal use of the electric buses is ensured. 

In addition, interaction between eBMS and the charging-management system via the VDV463 interface can work more efficiently with best possible pre-planning. The charging-management system receives charging orders through vehicle allocation from the eBMS and must process them logically. If there are discrepancies, eBMS is sent back the orders or is informed that the target charging cannot be achieved. The constantly growing database makes for continuous improvement of the accuracy of the evaluation, and thus also vehicle allocation.

With its own comprehensive statistic tool VABevSuite, our eBMS VABdepot offers precisely these functions for e-bus operation. 

Apart from the extensive full version, our eBMS is also available in a basic version called eBMSbasic. In both versions, vehicle allocation can be manual, automatic or fully automatic – 24/7. This way, we help smaller transport authorities start digital deployment-planning of electric vehicles. 

We also offer our VABcharge charging-management system for our eBMS and eBMSbasic. Our single source solutions make entry into digital e-bus management even easier. With different license models on offer, we have the right set for every transport authority.