Comments on: Could Electric Buses Work For Bermuda?

By: The Outsider

The Outsider — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 14:31:20 +0000

Government can order the buses on their own behalf, just like they do now. No need for them to get someone to procure them.

By: Stinky D.

Stinky D. — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 19:19:08 +0000

I agree
If Government gets electric Buses I will invest heavily in BELco.

By: Triangle Drifter

Triangle Drifter — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 12:52:54 +0000

Just think of all that fossil fuel burned to charge those wonderfully green buses each day

By: Bermy greens

Bermy greens — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 09:51:42 +0000

A look none of us have a say! This government makes decisions based on what they believe is right ! Not what the people think so hold your comments and let them do us! I’m voting for dune buggies next !

By: Sage

Sage — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 03:32:55 +0000

A small percentage could possibly be recharged by solar energy. Just my layperson postulation.

By: Stinky D.

Stinky D. — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 23:30:02 +0000

These are less complexed

By: hrb

hrb — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 23:10:55 +0000

I really like the idea of electric buses on all fronts. However IMO one or two electric busses should be tested on our roads during the super hot summer months and see how they do. Test them first before we buy them by the bushel.

By: cedar stump

cedar stump — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 23:00:44 +0000

The bus mechanics struggle with a Briggs and Stratton mower engine…..hahaha. Is the Red, Black, Blue, White or Green wire positive ??????

By: Micah

Micah — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 22:55:13 +0000

They really need to make sure they have cell phone chargers on every bus

By: hybrid

hybrid — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 22:19:13 +0000

The bus mechanics aren’t qualified to deal with the complexity of the buses already here, wait until they have to maintain something like these.

By: Brainless Bermuda

Brainless Bermuda — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 20:04:29 +0000

Wow someone is this country has a brain

By: Bermy

Bermy — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 20:03:13 +0000

Does the power to charge have to come from Belco. Is Tynes Bay a waste to energy incinerator? It’s def the way of the future but Bermuda always seems to be s bit behind with global trends

By: nerema

nerema — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 20:01:34 +0000

Oh yes of course. China is entirely flat, with no hills. Lucky you’re here isn’t it.

By: mini bus guy

mini bus guy — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 17:55:20 +0000

NO no no.

By: stormy daniels

stormy daniels — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 16:54:55 +0000

Dont confuse the minister anymore!

By: Toodle-oo

Toodle-oo — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 16:29:48 +0000

Offset maybe by the many , many hundreds of empty houses , apartments and office blocks ?

By: trees

trees — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 16:01:16 +0000

Belco should be totally fine as the majority of charging can be done at night when the load is at its lowest.

Depending on the “quality” and provided the capacity of the batteries is spec’d right the “usable” lifespan should be good, 8 years perhaps even more. Once they are done then can be repurposed for energy storage on the grid for another 10 or more years before finally needing to be sent away for recycling.

The challenge is what quality are these buses from China regarding components and batteries? Will they hold up in our climate, that will be the ultimate test.

By: Gustav

Gustav — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 15:30:56 +0000

no way
what to do with all the mechanics
they just want to make them jobless ( LOL )
main question is : is BELCO able to handle that extra load ??????

By: puzzled

puzzled — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:34:08 +0000

The buses in China run in cities that are flat.

End of story.

By: Sorry Sir

Sorry Sir — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:24:26 +0000

Put a bunch of solar panels on the roof of the bus depot or feed directly off of the incinerator and you’ll have nearly free energy once the RoI has been reached. Good long-term strategy right there.

By: Jus' Askin'

Jus' Askin' — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:14:45 +0000

Let’s Do It

By: Curious

Curious — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:09:30 +0000

Great idea – it will be interesting to see if Bermuda has the infrastructure and maturity to go beyond our currently vested financial interests to do what is best for Bermuda and already happening around the world.

It would be great to see an open and transparent bidding process in Bermuda around electricity generation and the opportunities to participate in our emerging eco-economy.

By: Cradle to Grave

Cradle to Grave — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 13:59:23 +0000

Great options but Waste Management needs to be involved in the discussion.
Can Belco handle the load AND can Bermuda manage the waste of the batteries. In other words what is the cost and carbon footprint of an electric from cradle to grave.

Bermuda has to find a suitable site for battery disposaland ship its waste off island (net positive). China’s economy thrives from manufacturing and has facilities that would pay a nominal fee to take the batteries and recycle them (net negative).

There are also opportunities to go away from custom-made buses and purchase smaller stock vehicles.

By: dick francis

dick francis — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 13:35:00 +0000

It has to be a good idea – cleaner, easier to maintain, less parts to break etc but …. can Belco handle the extra load as more and more electric vehicles come to the Island?

By: Stinky D.

Stinky D. — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 13:26:15 +0000

The technology is not there yet for these to be cost effective. It will get there however it is not there yet.
First the cost of an electric bus is twice as expensive as a diesel bus
The batteries will have to be replaced every 4 years and these batteries are very expensive
In the summer these buses will have the a/c running constantly and will need frequent charging
As long as BELco is running fossil fuel to create electricity the buses will be consuming fossil fuels to recharge
The infrastructure that will need to be built all around the island to support charging these vehicles will be quite costly
Eventually we will have electric buses however no time soon because of the expense

By: upset voter

upset voter — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 13:18:44 +0000

This is not fair, what happened to waiting until the govt procurement notice came out and you get in line with everyone else. I hope the Govt don’t get hoodwinked by this!

By: agatha christie

agatha christie — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 12:49:20 +0000

I’m all for more electric vehicles but, there is a big but …. can Belco handle the extra load?