SEATTLE — Sound Transit plans to add 48 wirelessly charging electric buses, including 33 double-decker models, to its fleet in the coming years, according to a February announcement from the manufacturer of the vehicles.
The Seattle area will be the first in North America to deploy the double-decker electric buses that come with inductive wireless charging technology. InductEV, the company behind the buses, builds in-ground wireless chargers that power the buses when they pull into stops.
The double-decker electric buses are designed by Alexander Dennis, a British-based bus manufacturing company. In addition to the 33 double-decker buses, 15 60' electric buses and 13 300-kW chargers are coming to Sound Transit.
InductEV said Sound Transit will be the seventh transit agency in Washington state to use its technology, but the first to employ double-decker buses. Sound joins Jefferson Transit, Kitsap Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Link Transit and Grant Transit.
"The inclusion of Alexander Dennis marks an exciting new chapter for InductEV," said Brandon Anulewicz, chief revenue officer for InductEV in a press release. "Together, we'll grow the company's existing footprint and, by so doing, accelerate the benefits of wireless inductive charging technology in the commercial and municipal transport sectors."
Sound Transit told Axios Seattle the buses are expected to be on the roads in 2027 or 2028.
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