Mechanical Evaluation of Road Durability Test in Battery Electric Buses

Abstract

Electric vehicles contribute significantly to energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases, as well as being silent and highly sustainable in terms of usage. Public transportation vehicles, such as buses, play a significant role in transportation, reducing fuel consumption for society as a whole and resolving traffic congestion. It raises the impact values of concepts such as electricity and a bus when these two phenomena are combined under one roof. To ensure long-term serviceability, electric vehicles must be capable of operating under similar conditions as conventional vehicles. In order to ensure that the vehicles are ready for use, they undergo several stages of testing simulating actual operating conditions. Following the completion of the test process, if the vehicle meets the predetermined criteria, the test process is considered complete, and the vehicle is approved for use. In this study, two different battery electric bus models were subjected to road endurance tests, critical parts were determined, and product reliability was ensured by product development studies. For this purpose, technical specifications of vehicles were shared, road durability test area and several road conditions were evaluated, qualification criterias were specified, loading conditions were assessed, mechanical evaluation stages were explained and finally, critical parts of vehicles were shared. By this study, parts required periodic maintenance were revealed, fundamental information has been obtained to ensure standardization in bus road durability tests, ensuring adequate vehicle safety has been facilitated.