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Exploring the World of Electric Buses: Advancing Zero-Emission Public Transport

Understand the planning, operation, and maintenance of electric buses to advance a cleaner and greener public transport system.

626 enrolled on this course

A man and woman standing in front of an electric bus checking the woman's phone.

Exploring the World of Electric Buses: Advancing Zero-Emission Public Transport

626 enrolled on this course

  • 6 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    6 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
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    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Discover e-buses with TUMI

With a history dating back over 140 years, electric buses have only recently begun to multiply in cities all around the world. They now play a vital role in reducing pollution, cutting costs, and diversifying public transport.

On this six-week course from the Transformative Urban Mobility initiative (TUMI), you’ll learn how e-buses are implemented, operated, financed, and maintained. As you explore the technology, business models, and urban issues of electric mobility, you’ll be preparing for the future of public transport.

Gain an overview of electric buses and their benefits

Like all electric vehicles, e-buses emit no pollution and are considerably more energy efficient. Research has also shown that they help boost diversity among drivers and passengers.

The course will start with a general introduction to electric buses and their benefits for society, the environment, and individuals.

Understand e-bus planning, financing, and maintenance

Once you’ve understood the motivations for implementing electric buses, you’ll take a closer look at what that implementation might involve.

Weeks 2, 3, and 4 of the course will delve into the planning, financing, and maintenance of e-bus projects.

Prepare for a greener future in global public transport

The overarching aim of this course is on sharing ideas and best practices for zero-emission public transport.

You’ll join an vibrant online community of transport professionals and enthusiasts, who are all committed to working towards a greener future in mobility.

Note: this is the second course in a series on electric mobility, along with ‘Exploring the World of Electric Mobility: Key Concepts and Strategies’.

Skip to 0 minutes and 0 seconds Hello learners around the globe. Today, I would like to explain you a little bit more about our upcoming course, about exploring the world of electric buses, advancing zero-emission public transport around the globe. It’s a course together with the Aachen University, GIZ, the TUMI Project and us, PEM Motion. This course is designed especially for individuals working in the transportation sector, such as policy makers, decision makers, practitioners like urban planners, architects, transport planners, or for students and researchers. It’s also open for anyone familiar with fundamentals and topics related to electric mobility, especially in emerging countries like Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Skip to 0 minutes and 47 seconds And basically, for everyone who has an interest in electric buses and electric transportation, the course will be divided into six dedicated weeks, where we will give you different interviews, lectures, case studies, reading materials, videos, and also would like to come into a discussion with you into our forum. We want to give you the opportunity to ask questions to our learners. The course will be guided by Alexandra from Ecuador. She will be your guide through the course and give you the lectures. We also have very engaging, interesting guest lecturers who will share their experience from around the globe.

Skip to 1 minute and 29 seconds We have case studies from Latin America, from India, from Africa, giving you better understanding what is happening in the world of electric mobility. In the first week of the course, we will introduce you to the topic of electric buses and their benefits. So it will be basically an introductory week. We dive into the world of electric buses, exploring the advantages and also the technology behind it. In the second week we will discuss project planning and how to involve the necessary stakeholders. Looking at the critical aspects of electric bus projects, but also the importance of involving the stakeholders for successful implementation.

Skip to 2 minutes and 7 seconds In the third week we will focus really on the technology and the selection of the right technology and how to finance that. That means what is the right technology for which approach and what electric bus is fitting for which use cases. In the fourth week, we will talk about the operation model, the operation planning, and also the operation monitoring. So we will explore different operational considerations and monitoring strategies which in the end help to ensure efficiency and the effectiveness of electric bus fleets. In the fifth week, we will explore staff training and employment operations, so how to have the right stuff ready for implementing E-Buses and what are the overall market opportunities there?

Skip to 2 minutes and 53 seconds We will look into training requirements of the personnel in the bus sector and discuss also employment opportunities which an electric bus system offers. In the sixth and final week, We will look at the end of life of the batteries. So what can we do with the batteries of the electric busses after they are used and come to an end of life in the fleets, meaning scrapping, recycling, second use. So we will address the sustainable practices for handling this end of life batteries. If you imagine they are probably very huge and need a dedicated recycling or re-use route.

Skip to 3 minutes and 33 seconds So, throughout the course we will cover a wide range of topics and each week is designed to provide you with valuable insights knowledge in a very concise format, allowing also you, the learners gaining expertise first-hand and understanding electric bus technologies the best you can. So I’m looking forward to welcome you in the course. Join us on this journey. Register on Future Learn and yeah, happy to see you there and hear your story.

What topics will you cover?

The course covers six modules:

  • Module 1: Introduction to Electric Buses and their Benefits
  • Module 2: E-Bus Project Planning & Stakeholders Involvement
  • Module 3: Technology Selection & Financing Models
  • Module 4: Operation Planning & Monitoring
  • Module 5: Staff Training & Employment in E-Bus Operations
  • Module 6: End of Life Battery: Scrapping and Recycling

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate an extensive understanding of zero-emission electric buses, their significance, and their role in addressing environmental concerns and sustainable transportation.
  • Explore various aspects of electric buses: technology, policy, environmental impacts, business models, and integration into urban transport systems.
  • Evaluate diverse resources and real-world examples for informed decision-making while developing a broader perspective and contributing effectively to the development of zero-emission solutions in their specific contexts.
  • Identify the latest advancements and innovations in zero-emission electric buses, keeping up-to-date with the dynamic landscape of this field.
  • Compare different types of electric buses and their applications, while understanding their specific features and capabilities in various transportation scenarios.
  • Assess the potential benefits and challenges of implementing zero-emission buses in various settings, considering infrastructure requirements, operational considerations, and regulatory aspects.
  • Develop personal and professional growth by cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills in sustainable transportation. Gain valuable expertise in electric buses, unlocking numerous opportunities for professional advancement.
  • Demonstrate the readiness to actively contribute and drive positive change during the shift towards sustainable, inclusive, accessible, and eco-friendly transportation systems by comprehensively grasping the concept of zero-emission electric buses.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about electric buses, their benefits, and their implementation within transport systems around the world.

It is particularly suited to learners working or planning to work in the transport sector, e.g. policy-makers, urban planners, architects, transport professionals, students, and researchers.

Who will you learn with?

Marvin  Stolz

E-Mobility and sustainable mobility expert at the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative since 2020 (hosted by GIZ). Dedicated to making mobility systems more sustainable for all.

Rohan Modi

Rohan is regulatory expert, with a decade of experience in energy & mobility sectors across Asia & Africa. He is affiliated with GIZ since 2014 and specializes in cross sectoral project approaches.

Alexandra Velasco

M.Sc. in Infrastructure Planning (University Stuttgart); more than 12-y of experience in sust. mobility. Currently doing my PhD in public transport and electric buses (Technical University Dresden)

Christoph Lienemann

Christoph Lienemann is the Managing Director & Partner for North America at PEM Motion, where he is recognized also as an expert in E-Mobility, Lithium-Ion Batteries, and Circular Economy.

Bertha  Ortega

PEM Motion's Senior Consultant & Training Expert, leading diverse projects in e-mobility, logistics, and soft skills. Passionate about project management, learning & global cooperation.

Paula Magaña Nunez

E-Mobility project engineer at PEM Motion, with experience in training and research development for Circular Economy and Battery Recycling topics.

Who developed the course?

Transforming Urban Mobility

Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI)

The Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) is implemented by GIZ and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Giz

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (English: German Agency for International Cooperation GmbH), often simply shortened to GIZ, is the main German development agency. It provides tailor-made services for sustainable development through international development cooperation and international education work.

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Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University

German institute dedicated to all aspects of the development, production, and recycling of battery systems, fuel cells, electric powertrains, and vehicle concepts. With a focus on teaching and research projects, and industry partnerships, PEM contributes to the advancement of e-mobility.

PEM Logo

PEM Motion

German business consulting and engineering service provider focusing on batteries, electric motors, and mobility products industrialization with a presence in both Europe and North America. Driven by a profound commitment to training in electric mobility by providing exceptional learning solutions.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 7 Apr 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

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