NEWS - 2025/01/14

Optimizing Public Transport Fleet Efficiency with SOH Fleet

Public Transport Operators (PTOs) currently face significant challenges in managing the health of electric bus batteries due to their reliance on data from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This information is often inaccessible and not always reliable, leading to inefficiencies, increased costs, and barriers to the electrification of public transport. To address these challenges, the SoH Fleet project aims to offer an innovative solution that aligns with the European Union’s Battery Regulation (2023/1542).

Supported by EIT Urban Mobility, SoH Fleet brings together ACTIA Automotive, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), Keolis Blois, and CARNET. The project proposes a cutting-edge system comprising a web application and an Internet of Things (IoT) system integrated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms. This technology will accurately monitor the State of Health (SoH) of batteries, enabling PTOs to reduce maintenance costs by 20% and extend battery lifespan by 20%.

The SoH Fleet system will gather data from sensors installed on buses and use AI algorithms to estimate real-time SoH, overcoming the limitations of relying only on OEM data. This approach addresses a critical market need by offering reliable information, ultimately reducing operational costs for PTOs and Public Transport Authorities (PTAs). The solution is already at an advanced maturity stage, having been developed and commercialized by ACTIA Automotive.

To validate its effectiveness and scalability, SoH Fleet includes two pilot projects in contrasting urban environments. In Blois, France, a medium-sized city, six buses operated by Keolis will test the system under typical conditions for smaller fleets. In Barcelona, Spain, a large metropolitan area, up to ten buses from TMB will provide insights into managing larger and more complex fleets. Within these pilots, CARNET will lead the evaluation and optimization tasks, ensuring their outcomes meet the expectations.

By fostering the electrification of public transport, SoH Fleet will address a key urban challenge, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, noise, and pollution. This project not only enhances fleet efficiency but also contributes to improving the quality of life in cities, supporting a greener and more sustainable future for urban mobility.