Wireless EV Charging is The Perfect Solution for Electric Public Transportation Bus Fleets

All bus fleets benefit greatly by transitioning from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric power. These include school buses, public transit buses, commercial buses, and more. Operational results of switching to battery electric bus fleets reduce operating costs by 51% below diesel bus operating costs. Wireless EV charging is the most cost-effective method of charging these fleets. The significant environmental benefits of switching fleets to electric are well documented in the fight against climate change.

(Image: Link Transit Wirelessly Charged Transit Bus, courtesy Link Transit)

Bus fleets around the world are converting to electric

The International Transport Forum’s Transport Outlook 2023 stated: “The good news is that the transition to clean transport makes economic sense. Investing in sustainable modes and improved efficiency will reduce emissions without hindering travel or the movement of goods. There are wider benefits as well. Done the right way, green, clean, and more resilient transport will offer more affordable, safer, and accessible services to all citizens. Transport is responsible for roughly 23% of the world’s energy-related CO2 emissions, making it a critical focus area for decarbonization.”

According to Sustainable Bus, things are changing for the better for bus fleets in the United States and around the globe. Electric bus programs have been thriving and saving money while protecting the environment for the last few years.

Electric buses are leading other fuel types in 2023 in the planned contracts of public transit agencies

In Mass Transit’s recent “2023 Mobility Outlook” survey, “44 percent of respondents answered that their agency planned to award a battery electric bus contract in 2023, and 11 percent reported a hydrogen fuel cell bus contract would be awarded this year, while 31 percent reported a contract for diesel vehicles would be awarded.”

Wireless EV charging is the best choice for electric bus fleets

Wireless EV charging provides a lower total cost of ownership and lower annual operating costs than old-school diesel buses and electric buses charged with wires. InductEV, the leader in wireless EV charging, has installed highly efficient wireless EV charging stations for many bus fleets across the United States.

In June 2022, InductEV (formerly Momentum Dynamics) reported the company’s newly installed four high-power 300 kw inductive chargers for Link Transit Company in Washington. InductEV installed a wireless charging system for Link Transit for the first time in 2017. The company completed the installation of four 300kW inductive chargers in 2021, which are currently operating at two public transit locations in Washington. Three chargers are at Columbia Station, WA, and one in Leavenworth, WA. The Wenatchee, Washington, Public Transit Agency and Link Transit Company are enjoying significant cost-savings while protecting the environment at the same time.

“InductEV’s wireless chargers have been a game-changer for us,” said Richard DeRock, General Manager of the Wenatchee, Washington, Public Transit Agency. “They charge our electric buses for a few minutes on the layover between routes and provide additional range, allowing our buses to stay in service for 12 to 14 hours a day – even during the harsh cold of winter. Buses typically end their day with 40-50% of battery charge still remaining, even on the coldest days. The cost savings are real and measurable. Along with the availability of inexpensive, clean, renewable hydropower from the Columbia River and lower maintenance costs, it makes the expansion of our fleet of battery-electric buses a financially sensible solution to combating climate change.”

InductEV has also installed wireless chargers for mass-transit buses in Indianapolis, IN, Chattanooga, TN, Martha’s Vineyard, MA, and across Washington, Oregon, California, and other states.

John F. Rizzo, Managing Director, Strategy & Corporate Development at InductEV, said: “The hidden secret of wireless charging is that vehicles can charge in the route and share charging infrastructure. This enables smaller batteries per mile traveled, lower operating costs, and lower total cost of ownership. Given that public transit agencies have to serve both the interest of reducing carbon which battery electric buses accomplish and better use of taxpayer money, which wireless charging provides hands down over wired chargers, the trend to wireless is happening quickly. It will gain even greater momentum as time marches on.”

A recent episode of Plugged In Live by driving.ca featured Anthony Calabro of InductEV, interviewed by host Andrew McCredie. The two experts discussed the future of the EV industry and wireless EV charging, the most exciting new technology in the electric vehicle industry. Calabro mentions the many benefits wireless EV charging has over wired EV charging and the company’s many wireless EV charging projects. These include the impressive Volvo XC40 Recharge taxi wireless charging pilot in Sweden and electric bus fleets using InductEV’s wireless charging in Indianapolis, IN, which are both highly efficient and profitable use cases.

Wireless EV charging offers multiple benefits to public transportation electric bus fleets

Public transit bus fleets have have layover times, waiting for the following route to begin. This is a perfect use case for wireless EV charging. There are several reasons why this is true. The wireless charging pad is installed in the ground and sends power wirelessly to the bus while at rest. Pulling the bus off the route to an EV charging station is unnecessary. The drivers have an easier time recharging; they don’t need to get in and out of the bus to plug or unplug while beginning or ending the charging.

Charging while stopped along routes is highly efficient for electric bus fleets and offers significant cost savings. Wireless charging is less expensive than wired charging. Operating expenses are commonly reduced by at least 50% annually. The total cost of ownership (TCO) of wireless stations is typically 30% lower than plugged stations.

How does wireless EV charging work?

Wireless EV charging works by magnetic induction. A common misconception is that wireless EV charging is less efficient than plugged EV charging. This is not true; the efficiency rates are the same. Moreover, wireless EV charging can work seamlessly through rain, ice, or snow at any outdoor temperature. Power is transferred wirelessly to a receiver under the bus from a pad on the ground. The energy travels through the air, known as an “air gap.”

Electric bus companies

Many electric bus companies are producing electric buses around the world. Some of the companies offering electric buses in the North American market include Blue Bird Corporation, Thomas Built Buses Inc., BYD Motors Inc., Proterra Inc., Gillig LLC, GreenPower Motor Company Inc., Motiv Power Systems Inc., New Flyer of America Inc. (NFI Group Inc), REV Group Inc., and The Lion Electric Co. USA.

The future of public bus transit is electric

Public transit buses are perfect for electrification and wireless EV charging. Public bus transportation has many benefits. Some of those include the environmental benefits of transporting riders more efficiently and emitting less greenhouse gases (GHG) while accomplishing that. Another benefit is affordable transportation for those who can’t afford to buy or lease vehicles. Public transportation bus ridership is on the rise. The COVID-19 pandemic decreased ridership significantly, with passengers concerned about their safety. According to the American Public Transportation Association, “Bus ridership has seen a relatively steady increase since February 2021… Bus ridership is at 70 percent of pre-pandemic levels.” Wireless EV charging is the most efficient and cost-effective way to charge electric bus fleets.

Written by Bill Pierce, Publisher EVinfo.net