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PV Solar-Powered Electric Vehicles for Inter-Campus Student Transport and Low CO 2 Emissions: A One-Year Case Study from the University of Cuenca, Ecuador

Author

Listed:
  • Danny Ochoa-Correa

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications (DEET), University of Cuenca, Balzay Campus, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador)

  • Emilia Sempértegui-Moscoso

    (Faculty of Engineering, University of Cuenca, Balzay Campus, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador)

  • Edisson Villa-Ávila

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications (DEET), University of Cuenca, Balzay Campus, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador
    Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Jaen, EPS Linares, 23700 Jaen, Spain)

  • Paul Arévalo

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications (DEET), University of Cuenca, Balzay Campus, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador
    Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Jaen, EPS Linares, 23700 Jaen, Spain)

  • Juan L. Espinoza

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications (DEET), University of Cuenca, Balzay Campus, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador)

Abstract

This study evaluates a solar-powered electric mobility pilot implemented at the University of Cuenca (Ecuador), combining two electric vans with daytime charging from a 35 kWp PV microgrid. Real-world monitoring with SCADA covered one year of operation, including efficiency tests across urban, highway, and mountainous routes. Over the monitored period, the fleet completed 5256 km in 1384 trips with an average occupancy of approximately 87%. Energy use averaged 0.17 kWh/km, totaling 893.52 kWh, of which about 98.2% came directly from on-site PV generation; only 2.41% of the annual PV output was required for vehicle charging. This avoided 1310.52 kg of CO 2 emissions compared to conventional vehicles. Operating costs were reduced by institutional electricity tariffs (0.065 USD/kWh) and the absence of additional PV investment, with estimated savings of around USD 2432 per vehicle annually. Practical guidance from the pilot includes aligning fleet schedules with peak solar generation, ensuring access to slow daytime charging points, maintaining high occupancy through route management, and using basic monitoring to verify performance. These results confirm the technical feasibility, economic competitiveness, and replicability of solar-electric transport in institutional settings with suitable solar resources and infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • Danny Ochoa-Correa & Emilia Sempértegui-Moscoso & Edisson Villa-Ávila & Paul Arévalo & Juan L. Espinoza, 2025. "PV Solar-Powered Electric Vehicles for Inter-Campus Student Transport and Low CO 2 Emissions: A One-Year Case Study from the University of Cuenca, Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-25, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:7595-:d:1730584
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. 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.
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