Seattle to Introduce Electric Buses With Wireless Charging

In-ground induction chargers will reduce the cost of the charging network.

1 minute read

February 21, 2024, 11:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


White and blue double-decker bus in Seattle, Washington.

A double-decker bus at the Lynnwood Transit Center. | Sound Transit / Seattle transit bus

Seattle is set to introduce double-decker electric transit buses that use inductive in-ground wireless charging along their routes, reports Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive.

According to Zukowski, “The Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, known as Sound Transit, has ordered 48 electric buses, including 15 60-foot articulated electric buses and 33 double-decker buses from Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group.”

According to supplier InductEV, using in-ground inductive chargers is over 20 percent more cost-efficient than wired charging. “To be delivered in 2026, the double-decker buses will serve a new bus rapid transit route that Sound Transit is developing along Interstate 405 to connect communities around Lake Washington and to the agency’s light rail network.”

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 in Smart Cities Dive

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

6 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

3 hours ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.