Bombardier’s PRIMOVE Wireless Charging System Propels E-Buses To Key Milestone

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Bombardier recently reported that one of four 59-feet (18-meter) articulating e-buses using the company’s PRIMOVE wireless charging system in use in Braunschweig, Germany, recently surpassed the 100,000-kilometer (62,140-mile) mark in terms of passenger service. (Photo courtesy of Bombardier.)

You’re familiar with Bombardier’s commercial and business aircraft, but the Montreal-based company is also a leading global manufacturer of trains and other transportation solutions. Bombardier recently announced that the first of four 18-meter articulated e-buses that use the company’s PRIMOVE wireless charging system and compact battery system in use by Braunschweig, Germany’s, municipal transport service has reached a passenger service milestone of 100,000 kilometers, or roughly 62,140 miles.

New Milestones

The first PRIMOVE-powered e-bus, a 39-feet (12-meter), Solaris-built vehicle, entered operation in Braunschweig in 2014. Braunschweig has added four 59-feet (18-meter), articulated e-buses to its fleet since then, including the model recently reaching the 100,000-kilometer milestone. Braunschweig transportation officials expect the other three 59-feet (18-meter) PRIMOVE-powered buses will reach the 100,000-kilometer mark in the near future and top the 50,000-kilometer (31,069-mile) mark yet this year.

In a release, Andreas Glaser, head of public transportation provider Braunschweiger Verkehrs, said, “I think these articulated e-buses driving 60,000 kilometers [or roughly 37,300 miles) in 2018 is quite a realistic target.” That total would equal the distance the department’s traditional diesel buses travel on the same route, he added.

Advanced Wireless Charging & Energy Storage

As an alternative to diesel and hybrid engine systems, the PRIMOVE system entails a wireless charging system and compact battery system (60 or 90 kWh), as well as propulsion technology. The charging system is based on high-power inductive energy transferred from underground charging pads to charging equipment affixed to the bottom of vehicles, such as e-buses. “Wayside components ‘communicate’ with the vehicle to start the contactless charging process automatically as soon as the vehicle completely covers the charging segment,” PRIMOVE states.

Where PRIMOVE-powered e-buses are specifically concerned, the system “turns planned stops into charging opportunities without requiring additional vehicles, interrupting service, or affecting dwell times,” PRIMOVE states.

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There are currently 18 buses operating in Europe that use Bombardier’s PRIMOVE wireless charging system and compact battery system. Bombardier claims the buses have saved roughly 527 tons of CO2 emissions collectively since 2014. (Photo courtesy of Bombardier.)

Cleaner Running

In addition to eliminating noise pollution, PRIMOVE claims its charging system reduces local CO2 emissions to zero. Braunschweig’s transportation department has already reportedly reduced CO2 emissions by 540 tons (490 tonnes) through its e-bus fleet, PRIMOVE reports. In April, Bombardier reports that a PRIMOVE e-bus ran 41 consecutive hours, with just a few scheduled recharging stops at regular stations providing enough energy to cover a 292-mile (470-kilometer) route.

In addition to Braunschweig, 16 PRIMOVE e-buses built by four different manufacturers are currently operating in Berlin and Mannheim, Germany; Bruges, Belgium; and Sodertalje, Sweden using 18 charging stations equipped with PRIMOVE charging technology. Overall, Bombardier reports the buses have totaled more than 497,096 miles (800,000 kilometers) in passenger service, saved 527 tons (478 tonnes) of CO2 emissions, and conducted 130,000-plus charging cycles since 2014.

Source: Bombardier