Innovations in the field of urban transport on the example of electric bus programmes in France and the Netherlands

The purpose of the study was to find out the economic and environmental feasibility of implementing electric bus programmes in France and the Netherlands considering their impact on municipal budgets, environmental indicators, and social development. The analysis of financial indicators, the cost structure of total cost of ownership, and socio-environmental effects found that the payback period for investments averaged 8-10 years in France and 6-8 years in the Netherlands due to different levels of regulatory requirements and the development of charging infrastructure. The cost structure showed that the share of purchases of electric buses was 45% versus 30% for diesel buses, while energy and maintenance costs were lower (35% vs. 55%, respectively). In France, energy costs for electric buses were 0.18-0.22 EUR/km versus 0.35-0.40 EUR/km for diesel buses, and maintenance costs were 0.12-0.15 EUR/km versus 0.18-0.22 EUR/km; in the Netherlands, the difference was smaller, but remained in favour of electric buses. The environmental impact was determined by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 900-1,100 tonnes per year per 100 buses in France and 800-1,000 tonnes in the Netherlands. Social results included an 8-12% increase in passenger traffic in French agglomerations and 6-10% in Dutch medium and small cities, the creation of 5-7 thousand jobs in France and 3-5 thousand in the Netherlands, and the development of innovative sectors – battery technologies in France and digital services in the Netherlands. It has been proven that a centralised financing model in France provides stability, while a decentralised concession system in the Netherlands promotes faster adaptation and competition between carriers. The practical significance of the study was to determine the conditions of economic feasibility and socio-environmental benefits of electric bus programmes, the results of which can be used by authorities, municipalities, and transport operators to improve sustainable transport strategies and investment planning