Cheat sheet: Four strengths of electric buses

(i) Only one charging station is needed at a depot. Buses are big enough to carry batteries that can last a whole day.

(ii) No need for upfront capital. Pay-as-you-drive financing is provided by banks, taking a fixed slice of (variable) revenues, reducing business risk for owners.

(iii) Lower operating cost over a bus’s lifetime. Electricity is much cheaper than diesel, and fuel makes up two thirds of the lifetime cost of existing buses.