Good practice:

Ecodriving training for electric bus (trolley) drivers

Electric vehicles are considered as highly efficient in terms of energy consumption as well as CO2 and air pollutants emissions. Nevertheless, the aforementioned efficiency relies heavily on the users’ driving style. An aggressive driving style greatly reduces such benefits when compared to a more smooth and efficient driving style.
Ecodriving is a method of driving that reduces fuel/energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and road accidents. Although the number of ecodriving trainings has increased significantly over the last years, little literature is available on such trainings for drivers of electric heavy-duty vehicles. To fill this gap, CRES proceeded in a six month monitoring program and pilot ecodriving training for drivers of the electric buses (trolley buses) operator (ILPAP) in Athens, Greece.
Five drivers were selected to participate in this pilot action. The training and monitoring program included a 4 month monitoring period of the drivers’ driving style, prior to the ecodriving training, in order to establish a baseline for future comparison. Then, a 2-days Ecodriving, on-the-job training took place including theory and practice. The pilot training was followed then by a 2-month monitoring period. Reporting data included electric energy consumption (kWh), driven distance (km) and regenerative energy produced from braking (kWh). Finally a report with the results was prepared and distributed to ILPAP for further actions.

For long-term monitoring, few human resources are necessary, for gathering necessary data and evaluation - may be integrated into the regular tasks of the fleet manager.
• Very positive cost-benefit ratio
• Payback in a few months
• Real-time data requires further financial resources

The training led to 10.8% savings in energy consumption and emissions. If Ecodriving were applied by all drivers there could be a reduction of 7850 tn CO2 emissions annually. Other side benefits of ecodriving include reduced road accidents, reduced vehicle maintenance cost, reduced stress levels of the e-vehicles drivers and a more comfortable ride for the passengers, without increasing total travel time.

Related to driver behaviour change, Ecodriving requires re-trainings at regular intervals, a comprehensive monitoring program and the provision of adequate incentives to guarantee success of the program.

Such Ecodriving trainings are expected to be easily transferred to any region or at a national level, as the y promote in an efficient way behaviour change, e-mobility and sustainable urban mobility (increased public transport use). It is very important that not any special infrastructure or sophisticated equipment is required. The trainings can take place on-the-job leading to minimal disturbance for the fleet operators. Last but not least, Ecodriving trainings have a very positive cost-benefit ratio, with minimal required funding/financial cost.