Wireless charging is now a reality for Long Beach’s battery electric bus fleet

By: Jason Ruiz

The city’s battery electric bus fleet will now be able to charge on the go after Long Beach Transit unveiled a wireless bus charging station outside the Long Beach Convention Center Thursday morning.

Wireless electric charging will allow buses that dock at the Pine Avenue station between Shoreline Drive and Seaside Way to juice up while idling. It’s anticipated that the city’s fleet of 10 battery electric buses, all of which are dedicated to the Downtown Passport route, will be able to use the charging station to partially recharge their batteries in about 15 minutes and extend their drive time.

The flat disc that resembles a manhole cover will allow electric buses to park on top of it for a quick “boost charge.”

“If anyone here has ever used a wireless charger for your cellphone this is exactly how this system works,” Long Beach Transit President and CEO Kenneth McDonald said. “Pretty much a cell phone charger on steroids.”

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