Bombardier Transportation today presented a new application of its game-changing BOMBARDIER PRIMOVE solution to selected guests and media. The PRIMOVE system, which has been installed in a pilot demonstration area of the Augsburg tram network in Germany, transfers power contactlessly without the use of any overhead wires. In addition, Bombardier today revealed testing of the PRIMOVE solution on a passenger van, using the same technology.

Simultaneously, the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development announced funding for an electric bus project in the city of Braunschweig, Germany, where Bombardier will apply its emission-free PRIMOVE solution in partnership with the local transport operator Braunschweiger Verkehrs-AG. This initiative represents Bombardier’s first PRIMOVE bus project for passenger operation and marks a significant leap forward in bringing clean e-mobility solutions to urban areas.

Based on the principle of inductive power transfer, Bombardier’s innovative PRIMOVE technology allows electric vehicles to be recharged either in motion (dynamic charging) or at rest (static charging) without affecting driving habits or journey times. The system transfers energy at very high levels of efficiency without compromising on performance and can significantly reduce energy consumption when combined with an onboard energy storage solution. By eliminating the overhead cables and other wires previously needed to power electric vehicles, mass transit networks can now blend in effortlessly with their surroundings. City landmarks, parks and heritage sites are left intact and the overall attractiveness of the city is thereby enhanced.

André Navarri, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Transportation shared the company’s vision of e-mobility at today’s event: “As a global leader in rail technology, we have a bright vision for the cities of tomorrow. We imagine cities where all vehicles are electric - where mass transit vehicles do not alter the landscape but seamlessly integrate to provide quiet and emission-free urban mobility. And most importantly, we create e-mobility for all types of electric vehicles: trams, buses, cars, trucks, taxis. As you can see here in Augsburg today, this is not just a vision, we are already making it happen.”

Rainer Bomba, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development added: “Electric mobility, transport planning and urban development have to be viewed together. Today already, we have mastered technologies for a smart and sustainable city of the future. It is now our task to bring these technologies into the market. The results of the trials in Augsburg clearly show that the technology is now ready for daily operations. I am glad to hand over the funding letter for the first line application of the PRIMOVE technology in Braunschweig today. We are interested to learn how a common infrastructure will be used by buses and other users such as taxis or delivery vehicles. We expect that the results will give us an important insight in the development of infrastructures and incentives for an accelerated introduction of electric vehicles into the transportation system.”