2015-04-07 Item 2 - Attachment 1 - Pre feasibility Study of Electric Bus Routes

The approach does not seek specifically to focus on sectoral interests, and does not require
effects to be expressed in monetary values. Objectives can be weighted to reflect their
relative importance to the central task of developing a feasible heavy vehicle alternative
route option. Weights for an MCA are assigned for each of the criteria to reflect their relative
importance to the decision and scored in terms of priority. These scores and weights were
combined for each route option to derive a ranking for the route.
A Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) approach has been used to inform the selection of the
preferred electric bus manufacturer. The following criteria and weighting were agreed and
adopted for the assessment. The assessment criteria and weighting for the assessment was
developed and refined through consultation with Noosa Council/TransLink.
   Vehicle performance (Motor Power nominal, Motor Power peak, Max Speed, Gradeability)
   – 15% weighting
   Battery Performance (kWh/km) – 15% weighting
   Charging infrastructure (i.e. complexity of deployment, flexibility of network, proven
   reliability of charging equipment, speed of charging, simplicity of operation) – 15%
   weighting
   Capital cost (Capex) of the electric bus – 25%
   Operating cost (Opex) of the electric bus – 5%
   Cost of charging infrastructure (Capex and Opex) – 10% weighting

   After sales support and warranty – 15% weighting
A ranking system with a rank of 1 lowest score and rank of 4 highest score was adopted.
Ranking is on a 1 to 4 scale with a higher overall weighted score indicative of a preferred
technology.

Vehicle Performance – 15% weighting

The average gradient of Route 627 is between 2.4% to 2.5% with the steepest sections at
12%. All four electric buses technologies have the capability to negotiate this gradient and is
not a differentiator. In order to differentiate between the manufacturers, the top speed of the
bus was used with a preference for a higher speed indicative of motor power.
   Top speed of the Optare bus is 95km/h powered by a 205kw electric motor (Rank=4)

   Top speed of the Olev bus is 90 km/h powered by a 120 kW electric motor (Rank= 3)
   Top speed of the BYD bus is 70km/h powered by an 180kW electric motor (Rank=1)
   Top speed of the Solaris bus is 70km/h powered by a 160kw electric motor (Rank=1)

Battery Performance (kWh/km) – 15% weighting

The batteries are an essential component of the electric bus and its performance is an
important consideration. Battery performance per kilometre travelled was used to compare
between manufacturers.
   Optare bus average electricity consumption is 0.9 kWh/km (Rank=4)
   Solaris bus average electricity consumption is 1.14 kWh/km (Rank=3)
   BYD bus average electricity consumption is 1.45 kWh/km (Rank=2)
   Olev bus average electricity consumption per kilometre is 1.5 kWh/km (Rank=1)




36 | GHD | Proposal for Noosa Council & TransLink Division - Planning Report