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Sustainable Mobility: Analysis of the Implementation of Electric Bus in University Transportation

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  • Ivonete Borne

    (Graduate Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering (PPGECAM), Technology Center (CT), Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil)

  • Sara Angélica Santos de Souza

    (Graduate Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering (PPGECAM), Technology Center (CT), Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil)

  • Evelyn Tânia Carniatto Silva

    (Graduate Program in Energy Engineering in Agriculture (PPGEA), Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE), Cascavel 85819-110, PR, Brazil)

  • Gabriel Brugues Soares

    (Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Energy and Sustainability (PPGIES), Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA), Foz do Iguaçu 85867-000, PR, Brazil)

  • Jorge Javier Gimenez Ledesma

    (Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Energy and Sustainability (PPGIES), Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA), Foz do Iguaçu 85867-000, PR, Brazil
    Research Group on Energy & Energy Sustainability (GPEnSE), Academic Unit of Cabo de Santo Agostinho (UACSA), Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Cabo de Santo Agostinho 54518-430, PE, Brazil)

  • Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior

    (Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Energy and Sustainability (PPGIES), Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA), Foz do Iguaçu 85867-000, PR, Brazil
    Research Group on Energy & Energy Sustainability (GPEnSE), Academic Unit of Cabo de Santo Agostinho (UACSA), Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Cabo de Santo Agostinho 54518-430, PE, Brazil
    Smart Grid Laboratory (LabREI), Center for Alternative and Renewable Research (CEAR), Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil)

Abstract

Sustainable mobility in university environments presents both a challenge and an opportunity to reduce environmental impact and promote energy efficiency. This study assesses the feasibility of implementing electric buses in the internal transportation system of the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), considering environmental, economic, and operational aspects. The analysis demonstrates that transitioning to this model can lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, noise pollution mitigation, and optimization of operational costs throughout the vehicle’s life cycle. The study examines technical, structural, and financial factors, emphasizing the necessary infrastructure, academic community acceptance, and the economic viability of the project, as well as the strategic advantage of integrating the electric fleet with photovoltaic energy generation. The key highlights of this research include: (i) Sustainability and energy efficiency, emphasizing a reduction of up to 52.52% in CO 2 emissions when vehicles are powered by photovoltaic energy in an LCA context, alongside improvements in air quality and noise pollution mitigation. (ii) Economic feasibility analysis, comparing operational and maintenance costs between electric and conventional diesel buses, evaluating the financial viability and potential return on investment. (iii) Infrastructure and implementation challenges, addressing the need for charging stations, adaptation of UFPB’s infrastructure, and financing models, including government subsidies and strategic partnerships. (iv) Impact on the academic community, analyzing student and staff perceptions and acceptance of fleet electrification and the promotion of sustainable practices. (v) Future projections and replicability, exploring trends in the sustainable transportation sector, as well as the potential expansion of the electric fleet and its integration with energy storage systems. The results indicate that adopting electric buses at UFPB can position the institution as a benchmark in sustainable mobility, serving as a replicable model for other universities and contributing to carbon emission reduction and modernization of university transportation.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivonete Borne & Sara Angélica Santos de Souza & Evelyn Tânia Carniatto Silva & Gabriel Brugues Soares & Jorge Javier Gimenez Ledesma & Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior, 2025. "Sustainable Mobility: Analysis of the Implementation of Electric Bus in University Transportation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-35, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:9:p:2195-:d:1642479
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dijk, Marc & Orsato, Renato J. & Kemp, René, 2013. "The emergence of an electric mobility trajectory," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 135-145.
    2. Vasyl Mateichyk & Nataliia Kostian & Miroslaw Smieszek & Igor Gritsuk & Valerii Verbovskyi, 2023. "Review of Methods for Evaluating the Energy Efficiency of Vehicles with Conventional and Alternative Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-25, August.
    3. Vanessa María Serrano Ardila & Joylan Nunes Maciel & Jorge Javier Gimenez Ledesma & Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior, 2022. "Fuzzy Time Series Methods Applied to (In)Direct Short-Term Photovoltaic Power Forecasting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, January.
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