A milestone has been reached in the development of electric mobility in Berlin with the commissioning of the world's first wirelessly charged electric bus in a capital city. The Berlin Transport Authority, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), has introduced four Solaris Urbino 12 electric buses equipped with the Bombardier Primove inductive charging system and traction equipment from . The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

BVG already transports around two-thirds of its passengers electrically with subways or trams, as well as with its four solar-powered ferries. Starting Monday, Aug. 31, Germany's biggest transport company now also runs electric buses. Line 204 between Sudkreuz and Zoologischer Garten (Hertzallee) now operates exclusively with electric buses. In addition to being emission-free, the buses, equipped with Vossloh Kiepe's electric drive produce low vibration and noise.

The buses charge wirelessly and contactless. At the end stops, Bombardier's inductive Primove technology enables the buses to recharge in just a few minutes.

On the 3.7-mile long route through the inner city, passengers now have 18 stops to get on and off and to enjoy the e-buses' quiet and smooth ride. The Primove battery system, with a total capacity of 90 kilowatt hours, offers sufficient energy reserves to handle even Berlin's most demanding routes, according to officials. In addition, the wireless charging system is well shielded so that the electromagnetic radiation is lower than that of a conventional induction cooker.

To fully charge the batteries overnight and air condition the passenger compartment before starting operation, four stationary and one mobile charging station were also installed by Vossloh Kiepe at the BVG depot. There the buses are supplied with power via charging cables.

Like all BVG's electric powered vehicles, the new Solaris Urbino 12 electrics are powered exclusively with green electricity. Within one year, the four electric buses on the line 204 will cover at a total of approx. 124,000 miles, saving 260 tons of CO2 emissions. Approximately 250 private cars would have to be electrified to reach the same effect. Furthermore, because the e-bus is as quiet as an average car, noise pollution has been reduced as well. As a precaution, an external speaker has been installed enabling the driver to announce the approach to a stop.