Electric Bus Battery Management for PTO: Key Insights from UITP Training

Key Insights from the UITP Academy on Battery Health and Optimization

The UITP Academy training on electric bus battery management focused on helping public transport operators improve battery performance, extend lifespan, and reduce costs. The transition to electric fleets presents new challenges, and managing battery health, predictive maintenance, and fleet efficiency is essential. volytica diagnostics shared expertise on battery state of health (SoH), limitations of BMS data, and independent diagnostics. Real-time monitoring and predictive analytics can unlock hidden potential and ensure safer, more cost-effective operations.

This training took place from February 4 to 13, 2025, as part of UITP Academy’s initiative to support the electrification of public transport worldwide.

Key Takeaways from the Training

volytica diagnostics was honored to contribute as an expert, sharing practical insights on optimizing battery performance. Some of the most important learnings included:

1. Most batteries are not used to their full potential.
   Monitoring and predictive analytics can unlock significant efficiency improvements.
2. Battery degradation is complex.
   It depends on multiple factors, including usage patterns, stress levels, and battery chemistry.
3. BMS is the “brain” of the battery but has limitations.
   It primarily ensures safety but does not optimize long-term performance.
4. Balancing and stress reduction are crucial.
   Battery management strategies can significantly extend battery lifespan and reduce operational risks.

Claudius Jehle, CEO of volytica diagnostics, emphasized the growing importance of battery health:

“Battery health in electric buses has become such an important issue that even UITP – the global association of public transport stakeholders – has dedicated an entire webinar series to it. This reflects how deeply the issue has reached the minds of its members. However, many still underestimate the complexity: accurately assessing the state of health (SoH) and understanding long-term battery performance isn’t possible without expert knowledge. As fleets grow and age, reliable diagnostics will be key to ensuring the safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of public transportation.”

Discussions and Common Questions

The sessions were highly interactive, with participants engaging in discussions on battery management challenges. Some of the most debated topics included:

• Limitations of OEM-defined SoH values: Do manufacturer-provided SoH values truly reflect a battery’s actual condition? Many operators called for independent diagnostics.
• The impact of charging practices on battery lifespan: How do high C-rates and continuous charging contribute to lithium plating and accelerated degradation?
• Differences in balancing strategies: Battery manufacturers use different approaches, which can have a significant impact on long-term performance.
• Second-life applications and residual battery value: How can operators maximize the value of their batteries beyond their first life cycle?

Adrian Poher, Senior Manager – Events Management Unit at UITP, highlighted the significance of this initiative:

“The Battery Management training is a brand-new initiative for UITP and its members! We’re thrilled to have volytica on board for the initial sessions, setting the foundation for a deep understanding of battery management.

Key Takeaways from the Discussions

Some of the most insightful discussions revolved around:

• The limitations of standard SoH definitions and how alternative diagnostics can provide a more accurate picture of battery health.
• The role of charging practices in battery lifespan, including the impact of high C-rates and continuous charging on lithium plating.
• The differences in balancing strategies among battery manufacturers and how these affect long-term battery performance.
• The potential for independent SoH estimations to challenge OEM claims and ensure transparency in battery performance evaluations.

Looking for Expert Talks on Battery Analytics?

The UITP Academy training reinforced the importance of data-driven battery management for electric bus operators and fleet managers.

Are you looking for expert insights on battery analytics, predictive maintenance, or fleet optimization? Our specialists are available as speakers, consultants, and trainers, offering in-depth knowledge on batteries, cell chemistry, aging, algorithms, and data-driven operational strategies.

📩 Get in touch at marketing@volytica.com – we look forward to sharing our expertise!

Collected Questions & Answers from UITP Battery Training

Battery Basics & State of Health (SoH)

Q: volytica works in real time or only diagnosis SoH?
A: volytica provides real-time monitoring as well as diagnostic insights. The system continuously evaluates battery health and operational parameters to detect issues early.

Q: Can we manually measure the state of health (SoH)?
A: Measuring SoH manually is challenging. A reliable estimation requires continuous tracking of charging cycles, temperature, and energy dissipation over time.

Q: Does SoH definition include malfunctions of some cells?
A: Standard SoH definitions from OEMs often do not consider individual cell malfunctions. volytica’s approach includes more granular diagnostics to detect hidden performance issues.