Ultracapacitor batteries are a poor fit for domestic cars, but are a unique fit for transit. Michael Graham Richard looks at how this technology is working on electric buses in China.
Ultracapacitors can be quickly charged and discharged, and can stand up to an unlimited number of cycles.
"The trick is to turn some bus stops along the route into charge stations, says Dan Ye, executive director of Sinautec [MAKER OF THE CHINESE BUSES]. Unlike a conventional trolley bus that has to continually touch an overhead power line, Sinautec's ultracapacitor buses take big sips of electricity every two or three miles at designated charging stations, which double as bus stops. When at these stations, a collector on the top of the bus rises a few feet and touches an overhead charging line. Within a couple of minutes, the ultracapacitor banks stored under the bus seats are fully charged. [...]"
FULL STORY: Ultracapacitor Buses Work... As Long as You have Lots of Quick-Charge Stations
Electric Intercity Bus Introduced in Santa Barbara
The zero-emissions bus is part of a regional fleet called the Clean Air Express that connects Santa Barbara County towns and employment centers.
Indianapolis' New BRT Stations and Buses Roll Out Soon; Here’s What They’re Like
The new Red Line bus rapid transit will include level boarding, pre-pay bus fare service at some stops, quiet electric buses, and USB chargers.
Bus Manufacturer to Retrofit Wireless Charging for Electric Buses in Indianapolis
After buses were unable to meet range expectations in Indianapolis, the city reached an agreement with Chinese bus supplier BYD to provide new charging facilities.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.
San Jose Mayor Takes Dual Approach to Unsheltered Homeless Population
In a commentary published in The Mercury News, Mayor Matt Mahan describes a shelter and law enforcement approach to ending targeted homeless encampments within Northern California's largest city.
Atlanta Changes Beltline Rail Plan
City officials say they are committed to building rail connections, but are nixing a prior plan to extend the streetcar network.
Are Black Mayors Being Pushed Out of Office?
The mayors of New York, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all stand to lose their seats in the coming weeks. They also all happen to be Black.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
City of Edmonds
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research