Several cities in Minnesota, including Duluth and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, are facing challenges in transitioning their public transit systems to zero-emission electric buses due to operational difficulties in subzero temperatures, which significantly reduce the buses’ range.
The efficiency of lithium-ion batteries decreases in cold weather, impacting the buses’ ability to hold a charge and provide adequate warmth for passengers during winter.
Other factors such as increased rolling resistance and less effective regenerative braking system in cold temperatures also affect the buses’ performance. (Trending: Democrat Targets U.S. Troops With New Gun Control Law)
Metro Transit spokesperson, Drew Kerr, said, “Using garage chargers alone, electric buses can remain in service for 70 to 75 miles before needing to return to the garage; with on-route chargers, electric buses were scheduled to be in service for up to 90 miles before returning to the garage.”
Duluth spokesperson, Dave Clark, said, “They would fail, they would not perform, they would experience malfunctions, glitches. They were extremely problematic right out of the gate.”
Technical and vendor-related issues have further hindered the transition, but the cities remain committed to their approach, offering lessons for other regions considering similar transitions.
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