Inductive charging for electric bus trials in Netherlands 01 October 2012

The first field trials of a 12-metre electric bus charged wirelessly by induction loops in the road are now underway in the Netherlands.

Green power makes the electric bus – a converted Volvo diesel bus –zero-emission at the local level, and, with the right electricity mix, could render it climate-neutral, according to charging technology firm Conductix-Wampfler.

IPT (inductive power transfer), the charging technology, is claimed to allow the electric bus to run reliably for 18 hours, covering some 288km a day, without stopping for prolonged periods or returning to depot for recharging.

The project, which is currently in the final phase of vehicle testing, has come as demand for climate-neutral vehicles for public transport rises sharply. Although 2013 will witness greater take-up of diesel-electric hybrid buses that are capable of meeting more stringent air quality standards, Conductix-Wampfler suggests that jumping straight to all-electric is the way forward.

Depending on the size of the fleet and the number of charging points, the purchase of a bus that uses inductive charging can pay for itself within as little as three or four years, insists the company.

In brief detail, IPT is an energy transfer system for electric vehicles that works by magnetic resonance coupling. The system consists of two main components: a primary coil in the road, which is connected to the power grid via a converter, and pickup coils fitted in the road and underneath the bus.

IPT is based on short but regular charging during operation. The battery is fully charged overnight and then topped up over the course of the day at suitably equipped stops, usually by about 10–15%, while passengers board and alight.

Conductix-Wampfler already has a track record of demonstrating inductive charging in cars and public transport. In Italy, 7.5-metre electric buses have been in operation using IPT charging for 10 years.

Partners in the new electric buses project include: Bluekens Bus & Truck (building and supplying the bus), Conductix-Wampfler (supplying and erecting the inductive charging solution), Heijmans (installing the charging points), Arriva (driver training and bus operation) and Enexis (connection of the charging system).

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Arriva Southern Counties Ltd
Volvo Group UK Ltd

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