ResPT – steps to a resilient electric bus system

This guide, produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute as part of the ResPT project, provides recommendations to public transport authorities, operators, and grid operators to increase the resilience of electrified bus systems in Sweden. Based on a May 2025 workshop, it identifies critical vulnerabilities in grid capacity, depot siting, winter operations, and data standards, proposing a framework of 'prepare-absorb-recover-adapt' to mitigate disruptions.

• Grid capacity constraints and timing are primary vulnerabilities, with participants calling for structured dialogues with distribution system operators (DSOs) before tenders and clearer prognoses of grid capacity across different operating states.
• Depot siting is often driven by available grid capacity rather than service needs, which can lead to long-term lock-in and depots located far from routes. Many existing depots in Sweden are already fully utilized, making upgrades difficult.
• Power outages, particularly short night-time outages between 02:00 and 04:00, are highly disruptive as they coincide with peak charging times and can cause missed morning departures. Stakeholders suggest defining realistic reduced-service levels (e.g., 48 hours) and priority corridors rather than aiming for full island-mode operation.
• Winter operations present significant risks as cold weather and heavy traffic reduce vehicle range. Older buses are noted to underperform compared to newer models with larger batteries, and current timetables often lack the flexibility to absorb these effects.
• There is a lack of standardized data and uneven access to information across the value chain. Issues include differing Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) versions, limited API access from OEMs, and unclear data ownership rights regarding state-of-charge (SoC) and charging logs.
• Procurement processes in Sweden vary significantly between regions, with some using detailed mandatory requirements and others using function-based procurement. Excessive requirements may discourage bids, and risk and vulnerability analyses are not consistently required in tenders.
• Financial risks include high upfront depot investments and the underestimation of operating and maintenance costs by new entrants. A mismatch exists between the length of operating contracts (approximately 10 years) and the lifespan of depot infrastructure (20–30 years).

APA

Xylia, M., & Gong, J. (2026). ResPT – steps to a resilient electric bus system. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/respt-electric-bus-workshop-guide-sei2026-003.pdf

Chicago

Xylia, Maria, and Jindan Gong. ResPT – steps to a resilient electric bus system. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2026. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/respt-electric-bus-workshop-guide-sei2026-003.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Xylia |first1=Maria |last2=Gong |first2=Jindan |title=ResPT – steps to a resilient electric bus system |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=February 2026 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/respt-electric-bus-workshop-guide-sei2026-003.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{xylia2026respt, author = {Xylia, Maria and Gong, Jindan}, title = {{ResPT – steps to a resilient electric bus system}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2026}, month = feb, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/respt-electric-bus-workshop-guide-sei2026-003.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }