The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and WestStart-CALSTART are devloping an Electric Drive Strategic Plan to guide Federal research efforts in electric drive technology for bus propulsion. The plan will be based on the needs of, and input from, the transit industry. 

Ongoing electrification of bus propulsion and auxiliary systems is considered a critical technology element for improving vehicle efficiency.  Advances are coming to market at an increasing rate, and a consensus-expert-based technology roadmap will facilitate cost-effective vehicle research and development, along with a stronger business case for transit bus industry suppliers.

It is also important to assure that this strategy supports the needs of transit properties nationwide to provide superior service, thus fostering increased ridership. This will be key factor as the plan addresses community acceptance issues such as emissions, noise, vehicle performance and efficient operations.

The plan will be set in the context of other technologies that can also improve emissions and fuel economy, including alternative fuels, hydraulic hybrids, and other non-electric technologies. 

The plan intends to address questions such as:

• What is the state of electric drive technology used in transit buses today?
• What advances have already been accomplished?
• How are electric drive components used today?
• How satisfied are transit operators with current technologies?
• What technologies are needed in the future?
• What additional advances are needed?
• Which components will be key enablers for future technologies?
• How can FTA speed the development of key electric drive technologies?

The approach will be to use industry input to develop the plan, drawing from experts from transit agencies, bus manufacturers and system/component suppliers, as well as other key stakeholders.  We will create and use a stakeholder group representing a cross section of industry to get detailed outlook on the state of technologies today, and needed improvements into the future

WestStart-CALSTART will manage the strategic planning process as Executive Secretariat.  Proposed elements of the process are:

• Public meeting and poster session at APTA Bus Conference
• Solicit and collate industry guidance and advise
• Creat stakeholder group
• Interview stakeholders
• Collate results of guidance and interviews
• Hold stakeholder meeting to work through results of initial analysis of input
• Use additional stakeholder meetings to refine technology pathways and research options
• Build consensus on appropriate technology research options
• Prepare publication for review and circulation

A final plan will be in place by Fall 2008.