The global transportation sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that transport accounts for nearly a quarter of global energy-related CO2 emissions.1 With a growing world population and accelerating urbanization, the pressure to create more sustainable mobility systems is intensifying.  

Benefits of electrified public transit

Electric vehicles (EVs) for public transit, including buses and light rail, such as trams, metros, streetcars and monorails, are vital assets on the road to net zero. Electric buses have seen rapid adoption in recent years, with many cities around the world deploying large fleets. These vehicles offer substantial reductions in tailpipe emissions, contributing directly to improved air quality, lower emissions and decreased noise pollution. 

Tram and commuter rail operators have also embraced electrification. These modes of transport are highly energy-efficient, and when powered by renewable electricity, they too become powerful tools for decarbonization. Additionally, electrified light rail systems often integrate seamlessly with other public transit options in terms of routing and ticketing, promoting modal shift and reducing reliance on private cars.

Electric vehicle drivetrains

ABB technologies are literally propelling buses, trams and other light rail systems into a sustainable mobility future. Our traction motors and generators are the heart of electric public transit vehicles, delivering the power and efficiency required for demanding urban environments. ABB drivetrains are optimized to handle the stop-and-go nature of public transit, ensuring smooth passenger experiences while minimizing energy consumption. ABB’s offerings cater to both new vehicles and fleet refurbishments, ensuring that cities can modernize their public transit systems with minimal disruption.

ABB’s electric drivetrains for buses are a significant leap forward in sustainable urban transportation compared with traditional diesel-powered vehicles. By using a combination of catenaries (overhead electrical wire systems) and battery power, these buses can run efficiently for long stretches of time, significantly reducing both emissions and pollution. ABB’s new HES580 and AMXE250 propulsion package, for example, is engineered for optimal efficiency and reliability, ensuring that electric buses can meet the rigorous demands of daily urban transit.

This technology enhances vehicle performance, enabling rapid acceleration and deceleration while maximizing energy efficiency. To further improve energy utilization, ABB also offers onboard traction batteries featuring lithium-ion battery cells. These batteries, designed with the highest level of safety, reliability and a long lifetime in mind, provide auxiliary power, enable operation in areas without overhead electrification and support regenerative braking, harvesting energy as the vehicle slows down or descends. 

ABB's collaboration with Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ) has resulted in a significant milestone for electric bus adoption. Zurich's line 83, fully powered by electricity, showcases the potential of ABB's technology. The electric buses operating on this route are equipped with ABB's traction motors and onboard energy storage solutions, delivering substantial energy savings compared to diesel counterparts. By replacing over 200,000 liters of diesel annually, line 83 contributes significantly to reducing CO2 emissions and improving air quality in Zurich.  

Charging infrastructure and digital solutions 

ABB technology connects the entire electrified public transit ecosystem from utility grid to vehicle, distributing power safely and reliably at an EV charging site. This includes a wide range of distribution technologies like medium- and low-voltage switchgear, step-down transformers, surge protective devices, electric panels, switchboards and circuit breakers, safety switches and, of course, the vehicle chargers themselves. By connecting to the upstream utility grid, transit operators can connect to multiple power sources simultaneously, including fossil-free energy. 

ABB E-mobility is at the forefront of charging innovations for EVs, including public transit, offering a range of innovative solutions tailored to different scenarios for operators. One of the company’s flagship offerings for public transit is the HVC360 power cabinet, designed specifically for large vehicles like buses, but also for other heavy-duty applications in cities, such as garbage trucks or tractors in ports. This solution provides fleet operators with a continuous power supply, ensuring reliable and predictable charging operations while the vehicle is in the depot or shed. 

The HVC360 supports up to four charging sessions in parallel, making it a versatile choice for operators. These small-footprint chargers and slim dispensers can be easily incorporated into new or existing site structures, working seamlessly with mixed fleets using multiple OEM brands and EV connectors.  

ABB E-mobility also offers pantograph opportunity charging systems (a pantograph is a device, such as a retractable arm, mounted on the roof of an electric bus, tram or train, that collects electricity from an overhead wire). These innovative systems provide high-power charging via an automated rooftop connection, with typical charge times of just 3-6 minutes. This makes them ideal for buses that need quick charging along their routes. The pantograph system can be easily integrated into existing operations by installing chargers at endpoints, terminals and intermediate stops, keeping buses moving, rather than waiting in depots to charge. 

ABB’s EV load management solutions strategically schedule charging times and optimize energy consumption, significantly reducing electricity costs, grid strain and emissions. This approach prevents circuit overload, averting potential power outages and equipment damage. Moreover, dynamic load balancing ensures efficient charging of multiple EVs at once, helping stabilize operators’ microgrids, especially if they rely on fluctuating renewable power. 

Safe and reliable transportation starts with electrical protection  

To integrate and protect the complex cables and conduit that power buses, trams and trains, as well as communications systems and other critical equipment, ABB offers a broad range of electrical solutions tested to the highest international standards to meet and exceed application requirements and withstand strain, stress, hotter running temperatures and harsh operating environments. From conduits and fittings that hold systems, and harnesses that connect wiring at critical junctions, to supports and interfaces that manage and safeguard electrical cables and connectors, ABB is helping drive performance, productivity and reliability of electrified public transit systems. 

Footnotes

^{1 https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023}

ABB technologies are literally propelling buses, trams and other light rail systems into a sustainable mobility future. Our traction motors and generators are the heart of electric public transit vehicles, delivering the power and efficiency required for demanding urban environments. ABB drivetrains are optimized to handle the stop-and-go nature of public transit, ensuring smooth passenger experiences while minimizing energy consumption. ABB’s offerings cater to both new vehicles and fleet refurbishments, ensuring that cities can modernize their public transit systems with minimal disruption.

ABB’s electric drivetrains for buses are a significant leap forward in sustainable urban transportation compared with traditional diesel-powered vehicles. By using a combination of catenaries (overhead electrical wire systems) and battery power, these buses can run efficiently for long stretches of time, significantly reducing both emissions and pollution. ABB’s new HES580 and AMXE250 propulsion package, for example, is engineered for optimal efficiency and reliability, ensuring that electric buses can meet the rigorous demands of daily urban transit.  

ABB traction converters convert the stored direct current (DC) electricity from batteries into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is required to power the motor and put the vehicle into motion. These converters are designed to maximize energy efficiency and reduce operating costs, making them an ideal choice for urban transit authorities looking to improve sustainability. Additionally, ABB’s traction systems include auxiliary converters, train control and monitoring systems (TCMS), and wayside infrastructure (e.g., traction power substations), all of which contribute to the overall performance and reliability of the transit system. 

This technology enhances vehicle performance, enabling rapid acceleration and deceleration while maximizing energy efficiency. To further improve energy utilization, ABB also offers onboard traction batteries featuring lithium-ion battery cells. These batteries, designed with the highest level of safety, reliability and a long lifetime in mind, provide auxiliary power, enable operation in areas without overhead electrification and support regenerative braking, harvesting energy as the vehicle slows down or descends. 

ABB's collaboration with Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ) has resulted in a significant milestone for electric bus adoption. Zurich's line 83, fully powered by electricity, showcases the potential of ABB's technology. The electric buses operating on this route are equipped with ABB's traction motors and onboard energy storage solutions, delivering substantial energy savings compared to diesel counterparts. By replacing over 200,000 liters of diesel annually, line 83 contributes significantly to reducing CO2 emissions and improving air quality in Zurich.