Exploring the World of Electric Buses: Advancing Zero-Emission Public Transport (FutureLearn)

Exploring the World of Electric Buses: Advancing Zero-Emission Public Transport (FutureLearn)

Understand the planning, operation, and maintenance of electric buses to advance a cleaner and greener public transport system. On this six-week course from the Transformative Urban Mobility initiative (TUMI), you’ll learn how e-buses are implemented, operated, financed, and maintained. As you explore the technology, business models, and urban issues of electric mobility, you’ll be preparing for the future of public transport.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Discover e-buses with TUMI
With a history dating back over 140 years, electric buses have only recently begun to multiply in cities all around the world. They now play a vital role in reducing pollution, cutting costs, and diversifying public transport.

Gain an overview of electric buses and their benefits
Like all electric vehicles, e-buses emit no pollution and are considerably more energy efficient. Research has also shown that they help boost diversity among drivers and passengers.
The course will start with a general introduction to electric buses and their benefits for society, the environment, and individuals.

Understand e-bus planning, financing, and maintenance
Once you’ve understood the motivations for implementing electric buses, you’ll take a closer look at what that implementation might involve.
Weeks 2, 3, and 4 of the course will delve into the planning, financing, and maintenance of e-bus projects.

Prepare for a greener future in global public transport
The overarching aim of this course is on sharing ideas and best practices for zero-emission public transport.
You’ll join an vibrant online community of transport professionals and enthusiasts, who are all committed to working towards a greener future in mobility.
Note: this is the second course in a series on electric mobility, along with ‘Exploring the World of Electric Mobility: Key Concepts and Strategies’.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to Electric Buses and their Benefits
Week 2: E-Bus Project Planning & Stakeholders Involvement
Week 3: Technology Selection & Financing Models
Week 4: Operations Planning & Monitoring
Week 5: Staff Training & Employment Opportunities
Week 6: End-of-Life Battery - Scrapping and Recycling Practices of Batteries

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate an extensive understanding of zero-emission electric buses, their significance, and their role in addressing environmental concerns and sustainable transportation.
  • Explore various aspects of electric buses: technology, policy, environmental impacts, business models, and integration into urban transport systems.
  • Evaluate diverse resources and real-world examples for informed decision-making while developing a broader perspective and contributing effectively to the development of zero-emission solutions in their specific contexts.
  • Identify the latest advancements and innovations in zero-emission electric buses, keeping up-to-date with the dynamic landscape of this field.
  • Compare different types of electric buses and their applications, while understanding their specific features and capabilities in various transportation scenarios.
  • Assess the potential benefits and challenges of implementing zero-emission buses in various settings, considering infrastructure requirements, operational considerations, and regulatory aspects.
  • Develop personal and professional growth by cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills in sustainable transportation. Gain valuable expertise in electric buses, unlocking numerous opportunities for professional advancement.
  • Demonstrate the readiness to actively contribute and drive positive change during the shift towards sustainable, inclusive, accessible, and eco-friendly transportation systems by comprehensively grasping the concept of zero-emission electric buses.

Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about electric buses, their benefits, and their implementation within transport systems around the world.
It is particularly suited to learners working or planning to work in the transport sector, e.g. policy-makers, urban planners, architects, transport professionals, students, and researchers.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Renewable Energy Futures (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Renewable Energy Futures (Coursera)

Renewable energy's future is bright, yet uncertain. Will it continue to grow rapidly? Is current growth sufficient to achieve climate stabilization? How do related technologies, like electric vehicles and heat pumps, fit in? This course will shed light on the many confusing and at-times inconsistent claims and predictions for renewable energy.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Electric Cars: Business (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Electric Cars: Business (edX)

Get an in-depth understanding of varied profitable business models for electric cars. Electric cars are more than a novel means of mobility. They have been recognized as an essential building block of the energy transition. Fulfilling their promise will imply a significant change in the technical, digital and social dimensions of transport and energy infrastructure. If you want to explore the business opportunities this new market offers, then this is the course for you!

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Electric Cars: Policy (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Electric Cars: Policy (edX)

Learn about the role of public policy in steering technological innovation and infrastructural change toward zero-emission mobility. Electric cars are more than a novel means of mobility. They have been recognized as an essential building block of the energy transition. Fulfilling their promise will imply a significant change in the technical, digital and social dimensions of transport and energy infrastructure.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Sustainable Transport and Shared Mobility (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Cenex

Sustainable Transport and Shared Mobility (FutureLearn)

Delve into the concepts of shared mobility and how it can provide a sustainable solution to help reduce road transport emissions. Understand the environmental impact of road transport. The transition to low emission road transport is gathering pace as the world battles to control emissions-induced climate change and urban air quality issues.

Jan 10th 2022
3 Weeks
Hybrid Electric Vehicles Technical System (Coursera) Coursera
Starweaver

Hybrid Electric Vehicles Technical System (Coursera)

Our course, "Hybrid Electric Vehicles Technical System (Operation and Service)," offers a comprehensive understanding of HEVs, covering technical fundamentals, operational characteristics, maintenance protocols, and diagnostic methodologies. Participants will delve into the inner workings of hybrid systems, exploring how electric and internal combustion engines synergize to optimize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

Aug 17th 2026
4 Weeks
Behind the Scenes: Exploring EV Core Systems (Coursera) Coursera
Coursera Instructor Network

Behind the Scenes: Exploring EV Core Systems (Coursera)

Electric Vehicle Systems is a comprehensive course designed to provide learners with a broad understanding of the components, propulsion systems, batteries, charging technologies, performance characteristics, and factors influencing electric vehicles (EVs). This course is essential for anyone interested in the future of transportation and sustainable mobility.

Aug 3rd 2026
1 Week