The transition to a fully electric shuttle bus fleet aimed to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability through several phases of implementation.
The Port of Oakland's initiative to electrify its airport shuttle bus fleet marks a groundbreaking stride towards sustainable transportation and operational excellence. This ambitious project, conducted in partnership with The Mobility House, showcases a forward-thinking approach to environmental stewardship without compromising on efficiency. By strategically phasing the transition, starting from a feasibility assessment for an employee parking route to expanding future shuttle routes including Rental Car Center buses, the project has set a high bar for how airport public transportation systems can evolve. The inclusion of The Mobility House's ChargePilot® to minimize charging costs and electricity usage further underscores a commitment to innovation and technological adeptness in tackling today's energy challenges.
"“We celebrate the introduction of our clean, new electric shuttles here at OAK. We look forward to continuing our path towards an all-electric bus fleet in the coming years,” says Port of Oakland Director of Aviation Craig Simon. “Passengers and employees that utilize the new state-of-the-art buses can enjoy quiet, spacious, comfortable, and modern vehicle interiors without emissions!”"
Craig Simon, Director of Aviation,
Port of Oakland
Key Project Facts
- Implementing The Mobility House's ChargePilot® software to manage charging reduced the need for extensive infrastructure.
- Initial fleet of 5 electric buses with plans to scale up to 26 to run simultaneously.
- The project involved the installation of 180 kW single-port Flex chargers.
- Operational cost decreased up to 25% for the employee parking route using managed charging.
- Managed charging reduces peak load from 540 kW to 85 kW, avoiding costly demand charges.
- Advanced simulation tools helped in optimizing bus schedules with local utility rates and existing electrical infrastructure.
- The Mobility House's Charging Simulations took into account various scenarios including extreme weather conditions to ensure reliability and gave the Port confidence that electrifying its fleet did not require adding additional buses to meet operational demands.