Grid-eMotion® Flash - Fast-charging e-bus solution in Geneva, Switzerland

The electric bus in Geneva looks like a regular trolley bus, except when you look at the roof. Instead of the usual trolley poles connecting overhead lines, this e-bus has a controlled, moving arm that connects to an overhead receptacle integrated into the bus shelter in less than a second. The high-power flash-charging technology,  Grid-eMotion Flash,  feeds the onboard batteries for 20 seconds, the time it takes for passengers to get on and off the bus. So passengers never have to wait for the bus to charge.

The first articulated bus (18.75 m length) for 133 passengers ran under real-life operating conditions from May 26, 2013, to end 2014 on a route from Geneva’s airport (terminus) to the nearby Palexpo exhibition centre (flash-charging station). Based on the results, a decision was taken to deploy the flash-charging solution on the entire line 23 (12 kilometers, 12 buses) in 2018.

Thanks to re-charging along the route, the battery size and weight have been reduced, resulting in increased space for passengers and energy efficiency.

A flash-charging station is installed at every fourth or fifth stop depending on the bus route. This technology eliminates the visual impact of the overhead lines associated with trolleys and reduces the noise emissions of diesel buses. The system offers greater route flexibility by not being bound to the overhead lines. That makes  Grid-eMotion Flash an ideal solution for urban mass transport.

The energy transfer system is designed to ensure passenger comfort, health, and safety. The direct-contact technology prevents electromagnetic field emissions associated with induction loop charging technologies.

Bus lines with Grid-eMotion Flash charging infrastructure can replace trolley- or diesel buses – i.e., frequency and stopping times remain unchanged. That is especially important during peak hours and directly impacts costs. Timetables can be maintained without the need for extra operating hours or additional buses.