Performance of 200-kW Inductive Charging System for Range Extension of Electric Transit Buses

Wireless power using resonant magnetic induction has been proposed as a potentially superior method of charging electric vehicles. The promise of inductive charging is that it offers an automated means of extending the driving range of commercial electric vehicles that must remain in service for periods of time that cannot be accomplished by a single overnight charge using manual conductive charging. This paper shows the performance of a 200 kW inductive charging system operating in routine revenue service along the route of an electric municipal transit bus and compare performance to overnight charging. It ultimately shows that a properly sized on-route charging system is capable of providing effectively unlimited range for electric buses.