Design and cost benefit analysis of an e-mobility service: an electric bus service in Naples, Italy

Among the sustainable mobility policies, electric mobility seems to be one of the best choices to reach sustainable goals, but it has limits that could be partially exceeded in the local public transport. This research presents a methodology to design electric bus services technically and economically feasibly, taking into account the effects of the new service on users' mobility choice (in terms of modal choice and willingness to pay). This methodology is then applied to a real case study: renewing an 'old' bus fleet with an electric one charged by a photovoltaic system in the Naples City (South Italy). Its effects on users' mobility choices were assessed through mobility survey and the economic feasibility was evaluated through cost benefit analysis. The economic advantages of a greener public transport were highlighted in the specific scenario (revenue/cost of about 1.32, net present value of about 299,406, internal rate of return of about 7% and payback period of about 11 years). The increasingly use of the big data as well as cloud computing may help to extent these technological innovations into the near future.