Momentum Dynamics installs 200 kW wireless charging system in Tennessee

Momentum Dynamics Corporation has commissioned a 200-kilowatt wireless charging system to support zero-emission electric transit buses in Chattanooga, TN.

The system is installed inside the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) Shuttle Park and automatically charges while loading and unloading passengers. Momentum's wireless charger is UL field certified and became operational on June 26, 2018.

Lisa Maragnano, Executive Director of CARTA said, "We are excited about this opportunity to expand our electric bus fleet that enhances the services provided to the citizens of Chattanooga and Hamilton County for a better quality of life. Through the partnership with Momentum Dynamics and BYD, our new electric buses charge fast, efficiently and run emissions free all day."

On-route high power charging is a critical milestone in growing the world's fleet of battery electric municipal buses. Electric buses can now outperform diesel-fueled and hybrid buses in terms of the all-important measure of driving range, while eliminating toxic tailpipe emissions to zero and dramatically reducing costs of operation.

The Momentum charging system is safe, fast, efficient and has the lowest total cost of ownership for any high-power charging solution. The system is installed in the roadway, which allows buses to be recharged multiple times per day during their scheduled stops. In this short period of time, the battery of the bus receives enough energy to allow the bus to complete another circulation loop, thereby enabling unlimited driving range.

"It's a privilege to partner with CARTA and install their first wireless charging system for their fleet of electrical buses. The timing couldn't be more perfect," said Momentum's CEO Andrew Daga. "Throughout the world, transit agencies are grappling with driving range for longer routes. We designed our technology to specifically answer this escalating need in order to accelerate the transition to electric mass transit."

Daga added, "Limited driving range is regarded as the key roadblock to the adoption of electric vehicles. To replace fossil fuel buses with electric buses, an alternative to overnight plug-in charging must be used to allow for extended operations. On-route wireless charging allows an electric bus to drive any route in any city with unlimited driving range."

The Momentum wireless charger installed at CARTA is the second installation in North America to operate at the 200-kilowatt power level. It follows the recent installation for Link Transit in Wenatchee, WA. Additional wireless charging systems will be installed in the U.S. this year and multiple installations are planned for Europe in 2019.

Momentum's technology is designed and manufactured in the U.S. and can be used in electric cars, autonomous vehicles, and commercial trucks.