Giant power charger for electric buses to be built in Dubai

The emirate's Roads and Transport Authority is aiming to make its public transport fleet more eco-friendly

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority is pushing ahead with efforts to make its fleet run on electric. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

A trial of giant charging points for electric buses and cars is under way as part of an eco-friendly drive in Dubai.

Transport chiefs are turning to 'magnetic resonance technology' to allow electrical vehicles to recharge more swiftly and efficiently.

The ambitious project is key to a wider effort to turn Dubai's public transport fleet electric - and reduce harmful emissions clogging the atmosphere.

The emirate's Roads and Transport Authority is to lay a power-charging grid underneath a 60-metre strip of road in Dubai Silcon Oasis.

Vehicles will be able to recharge while in motion when using the innovative technology.

The RTA is leading the green scheme in partnership with the Dubai Silicon Oasis free zone and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

“This project is one of RTA’s initiatives to promote the use of environmentally-friendly vehicles and sustainable transport means,” said Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, director-general of RTA.

“RTA is undertaking this project, which is part of Dubai Future Accelerators, in collaboration with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Dubai Silicon Oasis.

"The initial phase covers preparing the infrastructure and laying an embedded power-charging grid underneath a 60-metre road strip at the Dubai Silicon Oasis for the dynamic wireless charging of electric vehicles and buses in motion.

“RTA has tested an electric vehicle and a bus on this path, and results proved a highly efficient wireless charging system comparable with the cable charging. Moreover, the electromagnetic level on board was within the accepted global range."

The transport chief said plans to shift focus to electric vehicles in the future relied heavily on the success of this trial and other viable charging technologies.

“The successful operation of electric vehicles using this technology and their deployment in RTA’s public transport fleet hinges largely on the availability and reliability of the charging technology.," he said.

"It enables seamless operation of the vehicle without any stopping at charging stations. Embedded under the road, the technology is invisible and as such has no visual pollution impact on the city. Also, it does not hamper the movement of people and vehicles like on-road cable chargers."

DEWA has already installed more than 240 charging stations for electric vehicles across Dubai, with plans to boost this number to 300 by the end of the year.

The RTA rolled out 94 'green' buses on the roads last July.

The medium-size buses are compatible with European Emission Standards, are light in weight and are low on fuel consumption.