Urban livability faces significant challenges due to traffic
congestion, noise pollution, and vehicle emissions. Electric buses offer a
promising solution to reduce noise and tailpipe emissions in cities. How-
ever, their limited range, constrained by battery capacity, can hinder
operational flexibility. As an alternative, plug-in hybrid electric buses
and hybrid buses (referred as PHEB and HB, respectively) provide a
more versatile option by combining zero-emission capabilities with con-
ventional diesel engines. Their efficiency depends on battery capacity
and the strategic allocation of electric drive sections along routes. Yet,
existing electric drive assignment systems remain suboptimal, as they do
not fully exploit the potential of hybrid propulsion.
The significance of electromibility is highlighted in this work, by an-
alyzing the broader environmental benefits and the impact on urban
quality of life of these two main existing technologies, plug-in electric
hybrid and electric hybrid. Unlike previous approaches that primarily
emphasize energy efficiency, this work develops optimized strategies for
maximizing electric driving distance while minimizing overall emission.
The problem is formulated as a multi-objective optimization one, tack-
led using a state-of-the-art evolutionary algorithm along with the exist-
ing GreenK heuristic. These methods enable the exploration of different
electric drive distribution scenarios while accounting for real-world traffic
conditions and route topography. Results demonstrate that the electro-
mobility technology used significantly impacts on sustainability, hybrid
buses producing higher tailpipe emission levels (covering 17,9% less dis-
tance with the electric motor), but avoiding the need of any charging
infrastructure. In either case, HB or PHB, the optimized electric drive
strategy can significantly reduce emissions and enhance the efficiency of
the public urban bus networks, contributing to more sustainable public
transportation systems.