Volvo Pioneers Electric Buses Charge Road Project
This is all for sustainable public transportation. In an exciting development for sustainable transportation, the Volvo Group has announced a groundbreaking initiative. One to study the potential of an electric bus charge road. This innovative project, in collaboration with the Swedish Transport Administration. For it could revolutionize how we power our public transit systems. I mean imagine an electric bus that can charge while on the road!
The Future of City Buses: Charge on the Road
Imagine a city buse that charge on the road. All while they drive. For that’s eliminating the need for lengthy stops at charging stations. That’s exactly what Volvo is proposing with their electric road concept. Here’s what you need to know:
- A 300-500 meter test track planned for central Gothenburg in 2015
- Buses will charge wirelessly through inductive charging technology on the road
- Energy transfers from equipment in the road to the underside of vehicles
- Potential for quieter, more climate-friendly public transport
Why A Bus Charge Road Project Matters
This could be the next pioneering step towards reduced environmental impact,” says Niklas Gustavsson, Executive VP of Corporate Sustainability & Public Affairs at Volvo Group. He emphasizes that this aligns perfectly with Volvo’s vision of becoming a world leader in sustainable transport solutions.
The Technology Behind It
The electric road concept uses inductive charging, allowing vehicles to charge their batteries continuously while in operation. This wireless energy transfer could significantly extend the range of electric buses, making them more viable for widespread adoption.
Building on Past Successes
Volvo isn’t new to the green transportation game. They’ve already made strides with:
- Hybrid buses combining diesel and electric engines
- The Hyper Bus project in Gothenburg, with plug-in hybrid buses charging at end stations
- Plans for the ElectriCity bus line between Chalmers and Lindholmen in 2015
What’s Next?
The Volvo Group will develop a detailed proposal for the Swedish Transport Administration, including:
- Building a road section with wireless charging technology
- Developing vehicles that can automatically charge when passing over these sections
- Testing the system on a public transport route in Gothenburg
The Bigger Picture
This project is more than just about buses. It’s a crucial piece in the puzzle of creating truly sustainable transport solutions. As Gustavsson puts it, “Electric roads are another important part of the puzzle in our aim of achieving transport solutions that will minimize the impact on the environment.
My Take
As The Green Living Guy, I’m thrilled to see major companies like Volvo pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable transportation. This project has the potential to transform not just public transit, but potentially all road transportation. It’s innovations like these that will help us build a cleaner, greener future.
What do you think about this electric road concept? Could you see it working in your city? Let me know in the comments below!
Stay green, Seth
19/05/2014
by Press release AB Volvo
“Vehicles capable of being charged directly from the road during operation could become the next pioneering step in the development towards reduced environmental impact, and this is fully in line with our vision of becoming the world leader in sustainable transport solutions. Close cooperation between society and industry is needed for such a development to be possible and we look forward to investigating the possibilities together with the City of Gothenburg,” says Niklas Gustavsson, Executive Vice President, Corporate Sustainability & Public Affairs of the Volvo Group.
May 19, 2014
(*Hyper Bus is short for Hybrid and Plug-in Extended Range Bus)
Posted on May 19, 2014 by Seth Leitman, The Green Living Guy
