An Overview of a 50kW Inductive Charging System for Electric Buses

In order to be aligned with new emission standards for heavy duty transportation systems, there is a strong demand for alternative fuel buses. Pure electric buses are a possible solution; however, due to the average daily range requirement of 120-140 miles per day, the battery systems required for such vehicles significantly reduce its performance and increase its costs. One method to address this issue is to use opportunity charging on the vehicle while it is waiting at a fixed location (usually called recovery time). This helps to address the aforementioned issues while keeping capital infrastructure expenses relatively low. This paper explores the use of a 50kW inductive charging system as an opportunity charger for electric buses.