In Chattanooga electric buses are charged wireless on-route with Momentum Dynamics system

Shift to electric buses in Chattanooga, Tennessee, can benefit from the installation of a 200 kilowatt wireless charging system realized by Momentum Dynamics Corporation. The innovative infrastructure became operational on June 26th. The system is installed inside the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) Shuttle Park and automatically charges BYD electric buses while loading and unloading passengers.

The second time of Momentum’s wireless charger

The wireless charger by Momentum capable of 200 kW charging power has now been installed in two place in North America. Recently, indeed, it was installed for Link Transit in Wenatchee (WA). Other systems are going to be installed in the US this year and in 2019 multiple installations are already planned in Europe, states the company. At the moment, electric bus technology is not mature enough to guarantee the same range as a diesel buses. Electric buses usually cover 200 – 250 on one full charge. According to the outlooks, huge improvements are expected in the next years. Anyway, at the moment, fast charging infrastructures are a key element to allow the deployment of big electric bus fleet (as, for instance, around Schipol airport in Amsterdam, where Vdl Bus & Coach provided the largest European fleet of electric buses).

Charging vehicles without wires

Momentum Dynamics Corporation develops high power inductive charging technologies for the automotive and transportation industries, using a technology that allows any type of vehicle or appliance to be connected to the electrical power grid without the use of wires or cables. The Momentum charging system is installed in the roadway, which allows buses to be recharged multiple times per day during their scheduled stops. In this short period of time, the battery of the bus receives enough energy to allow the bus to complete another circulation loop, thereby enabling unlimited driving range. Wireless chargers use resonant magnetic induction to transfer power without the use of cables. They include the transmitter on the ground and a power receiver mounted to the underside of the vehicle. Despite an air gap of up to 12”, the efficiency of inductive charging is equivalent to plug-in charging, claims Momentum Dynamics CEO Andrew Daga.

CARTA, a partnership with Momentum Dynamics and BYD

Lisa Maragnano, Executive Director of CARTA said, “We are excited about this opportunity to expand our electric bus fleet that enhances the services provided to the citizens of Chattanooga and Hamilton County for a better quality of life. Through the partnership with Momentum Dynamics and BYD, our new electric buses charge fast, efficiently and run emissions free all day”. “It’s a privilege to partner with CARTA and install their first wireless charging system for their fleet of electrical buses. The timing couldn’t be more perfect,” said Daga. “Throughout the world, transit agencies are grappling with driving range for longer routes. We designed our technology to specifically answer this escalating need in order to accelerate the transition to electric mass transit. Limited driving range is regarded as the key roadblock to the adoption of electric vehicles. To replace fossil fuel buses with electric buses, an alternative to overnight plug-in charging must be used to allow for extended operations. On-route wireless charging allows an electric bus to drive any route in any city with unlimited driving range.”