Feasibility challenges and cost modeling for electric buses in a mid-sized city

[Anthony20]

I work in municipal planning for a mid-sized city, and we're conducting a feasibility study on transitioning part of our public bus fleet to electric buses. The upfront costs and infrastructure needs are significant, but the long-term operational and environmental benefits seem compelling. For other city planners or transit authorities who have begun this transition, what were the most unexpected challenges you faced regarding charging depot logistics, route planning for range, or maintenance technician training? How did you model the total cost of ownership compared to diesel, and what has been the real-world feedback from drivers and passengers regarding noise, ride quality, and reliability in different weather conditions?