Li-ion battery deterioration evaluation of short range frequent charging electric bus over long-term operation in cold region

A long-term operation test in cold region of electric buses on public roads was performed in Nagano prefecture as a project of the Japan Ministry of the Environment from 2011 to 2014. For this project, the short-range frequent-charging type electric buses, “Waseda Electric Buses (WEBs)” were developed. WEB-3, one of the test vehicles, was driven for 42,114 km over 902 days and charged 4,298 times. In this paper, the following was obtained. (1) The battery performance deterioration is measured and proofed to be predictable. (2) One strategy is advised for expanding battery lifetime. (3) Even started the operation at sub-zero environment, the performance of vehicle was not affected.