Wirelessly charged city bus tested for the first time in Sweden

Scania has become the first company in Sweden to test a wirelessly charged electric-hybrid city bus. The bus will start operating on the streets of Södertälje, Sweden, in June 2016 as part of a research project into sustainable vehicle technology. Scania is undertaking
intensive research into various types of electrification technologies that could replace or complement combustion engines. Induction is among the options being investigated and would involve vehicles wirelessly recharging their batteries via electrified roads.

Now, for the first time in Sweden, Scania and the Stockholm based Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) plan to test the technology in real-life conditions. The project will be run through their jointly operated Integrated Transport Laboratory research centre.

As part of the field tests, a Scania citybus with an electric hybrid powertrain will go into daily operation in Södertälje in June 2016. At one of the bus stops there will be a charging station where the vehicle will be able to refill wirelessly from the road surface enough energy for a complete journey in just six-seven minutes.
"The main purpose of the field test is to evaluate the technology in real-life conditions," said Hakan Sundelin, research and development coordinator for hybrid technology at Scania. "We want to learn more about the technology and how the systems perform together but also how passengers and drivers perceive it. Our goal is that they will not see any differences."

"To build an infrastructure and convert bus fleets to vehicles that run exclusively on electricity will provide many advantages for a city," he added. "With a fleet of 2,000 buses, the city can save up to 50-million litres of fuel each year. This means the fuel costs decrease by up to 90 per cent."

Apart from induction, Scania's research and development department is looking at different technology options, including the take-up of energy from overhead electrical wires or charging stations.

"Wireless charging is of course attractive from an aesthetic point of view, but we are interested in all means of charging. Our customers have different needs and prerequisites when it comes to switching to more sustainable transport. Therefore we don't want focus on just one technology. Instead we are continuing research in different areas."

Posted in: Advance Technology,Bus/Coach,Commercial Vehicle,Electric Vehicle,Europe,Hakan Sundelin,Scania,Stockholm,Sweden,Wireless