In the rapidly evolving world of public transport, managing electric bus fleets presents unique challenges, particularly in harsh weather conditions. The winter of 2023/2024 in Oslo highlighted these difficulties, revealing the complexities of operating electric vehicles (EVs) efficiently. With energy consumption unexpectedly high and charging infrastructure issues, transport operators faced significant operational hurdles. However, Tenix Charge emerged as a game-changing solution, transforming chaos into control for electric bus operations.
The Challenges
An independent review conducted by NorConsult identified several critical issues:
- High Energy Consumption: New electric buses required more frequent charging during winter, impacting operational efficiency.
- Charging Infrastructure Problems: Incorrect deliveries and chargers that underperformed in cold, snowy, and windy conditions created significant delays.
- Complex Operations: The diverse nature of charging solutions and vehicle types led to chaotic depot management, with missed or delayed departures becoming common.
These challenges underscored the need for a robust system to ensure that the fleet of over 600 electric buses could be charged efficiently every day, regardless of the conditions.
The Tenix Solution
Tenix Charge, an advanced Charge Point Management System (CPMS), was designed to tackle these issues head-on. By integrating smart charging, depot management, and battery health monitoring, Tenix Charge offers a comprehensive solution that enables transport operators to regain control over their electric fleets.
Key Features
- Advanced Smart Charging: Utilizing proven machine learning and AI, Tenix Charge optimises charging schedules based on planned routes, energy prices, and capacity constraints, leading to a reduction in energy costs by 16-27%.
- Depot Management: The system provides a live overview of charger occupancy, bus locations, and power consumption, facilitating efficient depot operations while preventing chaos.
- Battery Health Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of battery state of health (SoH) ensures operational stability and safety, allowing for predictive maintenance and improved battery longevity.
Tenix Charge Performance During the 2023/2024 Winter Storm
During the harsh winter storm of 2023/2024, Tenix Charge proved its value by enabling a leading Norwegian transport operator to maintain exceptional service reliability. Despite extreme weather conditions, the operator achieved an impressive 95% accuracy in bus route scheduling, thanks to Tenix’s role.
This was made possible through smart charging powered by machine learning, which continuously optimised both schedule and capacity to ensure uninterrupted and reliable operations.
Conclusion
The transition from chaos to control in electric bus operations is not just a technological upgrade; it’s a strategic necessity in today’s transport landscape. With Tenix Charge, operators can confidently navigate the complexities of electric fleet management, ensuring reliable, efficient, and sustainable public transport solutions.
As electric buses become increasingly prevalent, the demand for smart software solutions will only grow. Tenix Charge is at the forefront of this evolution, leading the way for operators seeking to optimise their performance in all weather conditions.
For more information on how Tenix Charge can transform your operations, contact us to book a meeting.
