Operating a fleet of electric city buses requires meticulous monitoring. Are the charging stations functioning properly? Does the bus still have enough range? Is a replacement vehicle available? These are the kinds of questions now managed with artificial intelligence. BetterFleet, an Australian software company, provides the tools needed for efficient fleet management. During Busworld 2025, the company will launch its service on the European continent.
The steady transition toward fully electric public transport compels operators to manage increasingly complex systems. Monitoring charging procedures, for instance, generates a massive amount of data. This tsunami of information can be overwhelming—but AI reduces fleet operations to a manageable system.
“AI filters the data and prevents information overload. This allows the dispatcher to respond more quickly to potential issues with vehicles on the road, battery levels, or technical failures in the charging stations. All incoming information is transmitted in real time,” says Gerardo Zarazua de Rubens, Senior Vice President of BetterFleet.
Founded in 2016 in Sydney, BetterFleet now serves clients in Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. More than 200 bus companies with a total of 80,000 vehicles rely on BetterFleet’s tools.
“We’re active in London, where we monitor 30% of all electric city buses—BetterFleet has the largest market share there. In Wales, we also support both public transport and school buses, totaling 4,500 vehicles,” adds Gerardo Z.
The integration of AI is advancing at lightning speed. “We first create a digital version, of the network and then compare those results with real-world operations. Such a task takes barely a day. Connecting several hundred charging stations takes less than a week. Our database already includes over fifty types of chargers, from pantographs to induction systems.”
With the BetterFleet system, operators can now run their networks far more efficiently. As network supervision becomes increasingly labor-intensive, AI proves to be an invaluable tool. “In the event of an incident, rapid intervention is crucial. We specialize in troubleshooting. Finding a solution quickly can prevent a major disruption. Our system relies on live performance data and accurate information, which is sent directly to the right person in the dispatch center. Communication with the driver or technician still takes place through dispatch,” the manager stresses.
By managing their networks more efficiently, operators are able to maintain the same level of service without having to purchase additional electric buses. BetterFleet can also advise, based on its experience, which type of charger best suits a particular vehicle.