Pantograph Technology Now Being Used to Rapidly Charge Buses on TfL Route 132

This is the latest chapter in TfL's zero-emission bus fleet transformation, which has included a commitment to deliver a fully zero-emission bus fleet in London by 2034, as outlined in its Bus Action Plan. TfL has already pledged to make all new vehicles entering service zero-emission, and with additional funding, the target could be pushed forward from 2034 to 2030. TfL is collaborating with bus manufacturers to create a vibrant and competitive zero-emission market, as well as working with stakeholders to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to facilitate the transition. More broadly, the plan supports the Mayor's goal of decarbonizing the capital with clean, renewable energy and achieving net zero emissions by 2030.

[@palgiandy]

Beautiful. In Milan eletric buses use pantograph since May 2021.

[@rbxrockettrio8650]

I like trains!

[@Sophiebryson510]

Whaaaaa

[@v_0]

One charger for that whole depot, which takes up the space of 2.5 buses? Wouldn't it just be simpler to put a plug in. Not like the bus drivers going to be there for just a minute, they'll be there for a while to charge up. Secondly are there efficiency losses to the pantograph?

[@MikeBroom]

These chargers can provide up to 600kw of electric - which very few/no cables are capable of - the maximum rapid charger I know of for cable use is 360kw and there's probably 1 or 2 in the country tops... With these at a few strategic timing points (stations etc) there's little need for them to return to depot... Losses wise - very little - as it's DC to DC - no conversion, no losses in cable length (as there isn't any cable!) - it's probably as efficient as can be with current tech...

[@v_0]

@@MikeBroom I'd still prefer two 350kW chargers than one 600kW. Dumping that much power at a time can't be healthy for the pack.

[@MikeBroom]

​@@v_0 I think throughput of vehicles is one of the bigger priorities... Out on the street - that 5-10 minutes charging will keep a bus going for its route.. On a night time on depot - 350 is probably plenty - but again when you've got buses coming in every few minutes - having cables all over for slower charging is gonna be interesting.. (for the record I used to be a bus driver a decade back..) Going to be interesting times ahead - no certainty that any one way will come out tops for the long term....

[@v_0]

@@MikeBroom this isn't out on the streets anyway, this is at the depot. I'd get it if it was at a few strategic stops where the bus is waiting for 5 minutes anyway, but this doesn't seem the case.

[@algijura]

yeah zero..apart carrying diesel engine with them