WATERTOWN, Mass. – WiTricity, a leading provider of wireless EV charging technology, has teamed up with China’s top bus brand, YuTong Bus, to offer wireless charging solutions for their autonomous electric buses. This collaboration marks a historic moment as it represents the first commercial application of wireless charging for autonomous electric e-buses.
“We’re thrilled to be working with YuTong Bus on this innovative project,” said Alex Gruzen, CEO of WiTricity. “As autonomy in the transportation industry continues to evolve, the logistics of charging and servicing will become increasingly important. WiTricity’s wireless EV charging technology has the potential to revolutionize the future of electrified transportation and logistics.”
The commercial deployment of wireless charging in YuTong’s e-buses will be introduced in Zhengzhou, China, and will debut on the Xiaoyu 2.0 autonomous minibus. The level 4 autonomous bus has a seating capacity of 10 passengers and a range of 150 km.
WiTricity’s Halo® chargers simplify the charging process by eliminating the need for cables and cords, which can cause slips and falls in transit applications. This is particularly significant as the growth of autonomous shuttles and buses increases globally. Wireless charging will play a crucial role in ensuring these vehicles remain on the road.
To date, WiTricity’s wireless EV charging technology has been deployed in passenger vehicles, including HongQi from FAW and Genesis’s GV60. The company is also conducting taxi trials to demonstrate the use of wireless charging in queues, allowing taxis to receive “power snacks™” as they wait for their next fare. The Yutong buses represent the first commercial demonstration of wireless charging for autonomous vehicles.
