ELECTRIC VEHICLES: STUDY OF ENERGY DEMAND AND IMPACT ON INFRASTRUCTURE DUE TO THE INSERTION OF ELECTRIC BUSES IN THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO

Abstract

Buses have become essential for passenger transport, both within major cities and between cities. In 2020 March 12,815 buses were responsible for transporting 8.7 million people every day on 1,336 lines throughout the city of São Paulo. Means of transport, however, account for about a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions and the most growth-prospective modal. To this end, technologies such as electric vehicles are presented in order to comply with new legislation. To assess the real impact of the increase in the number of electric vehicles, it is necessary to evaluate the energy demand to be considered and the possible restructuring of the electricity grid. The quantification of the total bus demand for operation in the city of São Paulo was carried out in four distinct scenarios of electrification planning of the bus fleet resulting in the projection of increased electrical demand, reduction of CO2 emissions and the survey of the main bus garages in order to map the points of possible increase in electrical demand, which, in its worst case scenario, showed an increase of 0.39% compared to electricity generated by the State of São Paulo. The gradual replacement of current vehicles powered by combustion engines by electrified vehicles should contribute to sustainable development by reducing greenhouse gas emission rates in large urban centres.