Smarter for operators

Behind the scenes, the transition has meant rethinking how a bus depot operates.

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Range is a key consideration, says Gay. A diesel bus runs up to 450km on a full tank — about 20 hours of driving — while a fully charged electric bus typically covers 250km to 280km. Those equipped with smaller battery capacity can run up to 170km.

The range figures exclude a 20 per cent charge buffer throughout service.

“When a (diesel) bus returns (to a depot), we filled the tank and knew it’d last about a day (of driving). Now (the considerations include): Which bus charges first? How much to charge? These are the new planning parameters,” says Gay.

A bus returning to the Gali Batu bus depot after an evening shift may not charge immediately when plugged at one of its 240 chargers.

The depot’s Charging Station Management System manages which buses charge and by how much, says Jonathan Teoh, 38, SMRT Buses' deputy head of Bus Engineering and Support.

Charging typically takes place during off-peak hours to take advantage of off-peak wholesale electricity rates, which fluctuate every half-hour.

While the system handles charging decisions, keeping the buses in shape falls to the technicians on the ground.