China's E-Bus Fleet Depresses Global Oil Demand - China's E-Bus Fleet Dents Global Oil Demand

Published on: March 26, 2019 / Update from: March 26, 2019 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

Looking for an electrification project that will truly reduce global oil demand means looking past Tesla and to China's vast fleet of electric buses. Nearly 400,000 people have been brought onto the Chinese streets in a coordinated effort by the Chinese government, and the result is great. When it comes to global oil demand reduction, the amount of oil caused by the switch from diesel buses to electric buses is far greater than that for diesel light vehicles and even all gasoline vehicles combined. Considering that 99 percent of the world's electric bus fleet is Chinese, a large part of the oil cut by electric vehicles worldwide is only the result of the Chinese buses.

Even if the Chinese fleet saves oil, the electricity it runs on is not necessarily CO2-free. In 2017, 70 percent of China's electricity was generated from coal and gas . 26 percent came from renewable sources. While this share of renewable energy is comparable to the UK which also operates a large e-bus fleet according to European standards , generate electricity from around 70 percent renewable sources .

While China is the undisputed global leader in electric buses, other countries are also investing heavily in electric buses. India has ordered 1,000 electric buses to be delivered by 2019, and Russia plans to introduce 600 electric buses to Moscow streets .

Looking for an electrification project that really dents global oil demand, one has to look past Tesla and towards China's massive fleet of electric buses. Close to 400,000 have been introduced to Chinese streets in a coordinated effort by the Chinese government and the result is big. When it comes to global oil demand displacement, the amount of oil that becomes obsolete through diesel bus to e-bus conversion is far bigger than the displacement amount for diesel light vehicles and even all gasoline vehicles combined. Considering that 99 percent of the global electric bus fleet is Chinese, a major part of oil distributed by electric vehicles globally is just the result of the Chinese buses.

Even though the Chinese fleet saves oil, the electricity they run on is not necessarily carbon-free. In 2017, 70 percent of Chinese electricity was generated from coal and gas . 26 percent came from renewable sources. While that renewables share is comparable to that of the UK , countries like Austria, which also operates a large e-bus fleet for European standards , have been generating electricity from around 70 percent renewable sources.

While China is the uncontested global e-bus leader, other countries are investing heavily in e-buses too. India has ordered 1,000 e-buses to be delivered throughout 2019, and Russia is planning to introduce 600 electric buses to Moscow streets .

You will find more infographics at Statista