Winduction develops wireless charging system for electric buses via tires

Winduction, a startup originating from ETH Zurich, has developed a wireless charging system for electric buses that utilizes specialized tires to achieve over 90% efficiency. Unlike traditional wireless charging, which places receiving coils under the vehicle chassis, Winduction integrates these coils directly into the tires. This proximity to the charging plates embedded in the road minimizes energy loss.

By charging briefly at bus stops throughout the day, vehicles can operate with significantly smaller and lighter battery packs. This reduction in battery size lowers vehicle weight, decreases manufacturing costs, and increases passenger capacity.

A primary technical challenge involves the steel wires found in standard tires, which interfere with magnetic fields and cause heat loss. To resolve this, the company is developing specialized steel-free tires. Winduction plans to conduct real-world field tests in Winterthur, Switzerland, with the goal of launching its first pilot project involving passenger transport by 2028.