ChaRM: Optimising bus fleet decarbonisation

ChaRM by Ricardo

Calculate the most cost-effective approach to introducing a zero-emission bus fleet to your network.

Introducing ChaRM

Transitioning to a zero-emission vehicle fleet involves complex questions for fleet owners, operators and local government:

What zero-emission technologies are suitable?
What is the total cost of replacing fossil-fuel vehicles with zero-emission?
What is the most cost-effective technology for my network?
Which routes should be switched to zero-emission first?
What infrastructure is needed and where should it be placed?

Ricardo's ChaRM provides specialist analysis and insight to remove the complexity and provide an informed route forward.

How it works

ChaRM modelling can use open access data such as General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) and the locations of existing depot infrastructure to analyse all routes against three zero-emission options:

Electric buses charging only at depot
Electric buses charging at depot and opportunity chargers
Hydrogen buses

Outputs:

Total Cost of Ownership to replace existing bus fleet
Recommended fleet composition e.g number of electric buses and/or hydrogen buses (including suggested battery size)
Optimal location of charge points

Route level outputs

Technology assignment
Total Cost of Ownership at route level
Energy delivered per chargepoint
Optimal chargepoint numbers at identified locations
Routes served by each chargepoint

Network level outputs

Optimal mix of zero-emission technologies
On-board energy requirements
Total fuelling / chargepoints required and investment costs
Total Cost of Ownership at route level
Full lifecycle emissions for each strategy

ChaRM factsheet

More about ChaRM

ChaRM factsheet

ChaRM provides unique route to vehicle technology and infrastructure solutions

More information

Find out more about how ChaRM can help you plan a zero-emission bus fleet.