E-Bus Procurement Observatory

Glossary

B

Bus specifications

Key required characteristics of the buses, including dimensions, passenger capacity, charging type, battery autonomy, and vehicle age.

Business model typology

Classification of the organizational and ownership structure defining who provides the fleet, who operates it, and how responsibilities and risks are shared among actors.

Single private operator

A private company both provides and operates the fleet, assuming operational and maintenance responsibilities.

Dual private actor

Two private entities share responsibilities: one supplies the fleet and another operates it, under supervision of a public authority.

Public ownership, private operation

The public authority owns or leases the fleet, while a private operator is contracted to run the services.

Fully public operator

Both fleet ownership/leasing and service operation are conducted by public entities.

C

Charging infrastructure

All equipment and facilities required for charging electric buses, including chargers, electrical installations, substations, and others.

Contract duration

Length of time covered by the procurement contract, when specified.

Cost structure (financial model)

Description of how payments are organized, including remuneration methods (e.g., per kilometer, per vehicle).

F

Fleet

The set of buses included in the procurement, defined by quantity, categories, and vehicle types.

O

Operator

Entity responsible for running the bus services. Can be a private concessionaire or a public company, depending on the city’s business model.

P

Procurement type

Operation

Procurement in which a private operator is contracted to provide transit services, using a fleet that may or may not be provided by the authority.

Fleet provision

Procurement in which a private company supplies and maintains the bus fleet, which may later be operated by a different entity.

Fleet purchase

Procurement in which the public authority directly acquires and becomes the owner of the electric-bus fleet.

Fleet leasing

Procurement in which the public authority leases the buses from a private supplier for a defined period, instead of purchasing them.

Publication year

Year in which the procurement document was officially published by the relevant authority.

R

Responsibility roles

Definition of which entity is responsible for tasks such as fleet acquisition, operation, maintenance, charging infrastructure, and depots.

T

Terminal

Depots, terminals, and parking facilities necessary for bus operation, which might be or not provided by the public authority.

W

Warranty requirements

Warranty duration required for buses, batteries, or components, expressed in years or kilometers when specified.