Swiss Startup Winduction Unveils Electric Bus Charging Wirelessly Through Its Wheels, Pilot Set for 2028

Charging While Waiting

According to НВ — Техно: A Swiss startup is revolutionizing public transportation by enabling electric buses to recharge wirelessly through their wheels. Winduction, based in Switzerland, has developed an electric bus prototype equipped with special steel-free tires that allow energy transfer via wireless charging coils embedded within the tire. Charging pads will be installed at select stops along the route between Zurich Airport and Zurich-Oerlikon, enabling buses to recharge during passenger boarding and waiting times. The inaugural pilot project with passengers is slated for 2028.

Innovative Wireless Charging Technology

Founded at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Winduction’s research team focuses on advancing public transport technologies. Their prototype electric bus charges without cables by utilizing charging coils integrated into steel-free tires. Road-embedded charging plates generate a magnetic field that transmits energy to the bus’s battery with an impressive efficiency rate exceeding 90%.

Although steel-free tires cost more than conventional ones, Lorin Schwiter, one of Winduction’s co-founders, emphasizes that this additional expense is minor compared to the overall costs of purchasing and operating the bus.

“Together with our partners, we are developing steel-free tires. While they are pricier, we believe this cost difference is negligible when weighed against the total investment and running expenses of the buses.” - Lorin Schwiter

The route connecting Zurich Airport and Zurich-Oerlikon features 24 stops, with charging plates planned for installation at two of these locations. Over a 16-hour operational day, buses will accumulate roughly three hours of charging time at stops, a significant reduction from the current five-hour nightly charging sessions at depots.

In Winterthur, a dedicated laboratory and test stop have been established for experimenting with this new technology. Developer Silvan Fricker highlights the significance of wheels in this approach, stating, “The only part of any vehicle that is always in contact with the ground is the wheel.” This insight underscores the innovative angle Winduction is taking to improve electric bus charging.

Winduction’s efforts could dramatically transform Switzerland’s public transport system and potentially influence similar sustainable transit developments globally. Wireless charging during stops promises to cut downtime and boost operational efficiency for electric buses.

As cities worldwide seek greener public transportation solutions, this pioneering wireless charging system may serve as a model for integrating eco-friendly technologies into urban transit networks, paving the way for more sustainable mobility options.

As cities worldwide strive for greener public transport solutions, initiatives like Chicago's transition to battery trains highlight the growing trend towards sustainable technologies. With Winduction's innovative approach to electric bus charging, the Swiss startup is poised to contribute significantly to this movement, demonstrating how advancements in infrastructure can complement the shift away from fossil fuels.