Urban Development Policy Making

Urban Development Policy Making

A Comparative Study on the Feasibility of Implementing Electric Buses in Tehran's Public Transportation Fleet, Iran: A Global Experience Perspective

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Payam Moeini 1
Hamid Mirzahossein 2
Ali Zahab Saniei 1
Amin Faridiaghdam 3
1 Traffic and Transportation Department, Tehran Urban Research and Planning Center, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Civil–Transportation Planning, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU), Qazvin, Iran
3 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Civil–Transportation Planning, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU), Qazvin, Iran
10.22034/judpm.2025.516440.1031
Abstract
Tehran, as one of the most polluted and densely populated metropolises in the world, faces escalating challenges in its public transportation sector. An aging fleet of diesel buses, high levels of pollutant emissions, heavy operational costs, and dependence on fossil fuels are among the critical issues necessitating a comprehensive review of the public transport system. In this context, electric buses, as an innovative, clean, and technologically advanced solution, offer significant potential for reducing pollution, achieving economic savings, and enhancing service quality. This paper aims to assess the feasibility of deploying electric buses in Tehran's public transportation fleet by adopting a comparative and policy-oriented approach, analyzing the technical, economic, infrastructural, and institutional dimensions of this transition. The main innovation of the study lies in presenting a three-phase, localized model for electrifying the fleet, based on global experiences and the specific characteristics of Tehran. Case studies of cities such as Shenzhen, Paris, and Shanghai have been reviewed, and their findings adapted to Tehran's context. Additionally, frameworks such as thematic analysis, cost-benefit analysis (TCO, NPV) and power grid capacity assessments have been employed to evaluate the economic sustainability and operational feasibility of implementing this policy in Tehran. The results suggest that with the establishment of appropriate infrastructure and institutional support, phased implementation could play a significant role in achieving sustainable transportation goals and improving urban environmental quality.
Keywords
Electric Buses
Sustainable Transport
Comparative Approach
Tehran
Cost-Benefit Analysis

Subjects

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Urban Development Policy Making
Volume 2, Issue 3
Autumn 2025
Pages 297-318

  • Receive Date 17 March 2025
  • Revise Date 15 April 2025
  • Accept Date 17 May 2025
  • Publish Date 01 June 2025