University of Utah Purchases BYD Electric Bus with Wireless Charging Pad

SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah has placed an order for a 40-foot, all-electric transit bus with BYD Company Limited (BYD), according to a release from the company.

BYD will supply one all-electric GreenCity bus to be retrofitted with WAVE’s wireless charging pad under the bus, developed by the Utah State University Energy Dynamics Laboratory. This technology will allow the BYD electric buses to pull up over an embedded charger in the asphalt with a maximum of 10 inches clearance and “opportunity charge” the waiting bus with no moving parts or wires required. The funds to test a full in-service operation of WAVE’s wireless power charging system were provided through a Federal Transit Administration grant awarded to the Utah Transit Authority.

The new BYD 40-foot GreenCity bus will be the first shuttle to be allowed to run across the heart of campus –- a 1.7-mile loop route. The bus runs will be timed to pick up passengers coming off eastbound trains on a 15-minute cycle. The driver will position the bus over the charging pad during several minute wait periods between runs. The embedded charge pads measure about three feet square and pose no danger to the public. Nothing protrudes above the surface.

"We will be the model of zero emissions rapid transit for the Nation," said Alma Allred, the University of Utah’s Director of commuter services. "We want to be in the forefront of technology that reduces the need for fossil fuels and has zero noise and zero pollution."

The University of Utah is a public institution that serves more than 31,000 students.