Winduction develops wireless charging for electric buses via tires

Winduction, a Swiss company and spin-off from ETH Zürich, is developing a wireless charging system for electric buses that utilizes specialized tires. The technology aims to solve the issue of heavy, expensive batteries required for long-distance travel by allowing buses to recharge automatically while stopped at stations.

Unlike traditional wireless charging, which uses receivers on the underside of a vehicle, Winduction integrates receiving coils directly into the tires. This placement minimizes the distance between the charging plate in the roadway and the receiver, increasing efficiency. The company reports a system efficiency exceeding 90%, with energy loss of less than 10 percent during transfer.