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Cold weather reduces range and reliability of electric buses, Cornell study finds

A bus enters a gray building with a sign that says "centro transit hub"
File photo
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WAER News
All Centro buses run on natural gas, which is far cleaner than diesel-fueled buses. But transitioning completely away from fossil fuels could pose a challenge. A Cornell University study in Ithaca found cold weather poses major challenges for electric buses. It could have implications for New York's plans for an all electric fleet of school buses by 2035.

Moving to electric buses will have challenges. Cornell University researchers completed a two-year study in Ithaca and found that electric buses struggled with cold weather, becoming unreliable with reduced range.

Researchers found that batteries in electric buses consumed 48% more energy between temperatures of 25 and 32 degrees.

They also found getting a battery to the proper temperature takes a lot of energy as does getting the inside of the bus warm. Cold weather also impacts brakes.

Solutions include putting buses inside when not in use and during charging. It could have implications for New York's plans to transition to all electric school bus fleet by 2035.

Bob Beck, a veteran media professional, currently serves as a part-time editor/host at WAER Public Radio and an adjunct professor at Syracuse University. Beck retired as News Director at Wyoming Public Radio in 2022 after 34 years. During his time, Beck won 5 regional Edward R. Murrow awards and 5 Public Media Journalists Association awards for reporting. He also won 11 PMJA awards for the news and public affairs program Open Spaces. He was awarded the Wyoming School Bell award for education reporting and was part of two Emmy Award winning television productions. You can find him on X under the name @butterbob.