The system, which uses inductive charging, will be used to charge the electric buses AVTA operates in its service area. With this purchase, AVTA becomes the first public transit agency in the United States to use Wave’s technology.

The inductive charging system consists of a pad that is installed on the ground, and a vehicle-mounted receiver. When the bus aligns itself over the pad, it automatically charges the batteries onboard.

This type of technology is becoming increasingly popular as a way to charge electric vehicles, as it eliminates the need for cables and plugs, which can be cumbersome. Wave’s system is also “smart,” meaning it can automatically shut off when the bus is fully charged, and it can provide data to the transit agency about the charging process.

“This is a big step forward for us as we continue our transition to an all-electric fleet,” said AVTA General Manager Julie Poe. “Not only does this system make charging our buses easier, but it also helps us to operate more efficiently and collect valuable data that will help us plan our electric bus operations.”

Poe said that the agency plans to install the system at its maintenance facility, and they will eventually add more pads as the AVTA continues to replace its diesel buses with electric ones.

Wave’s CEO, Mike Mahan, said that his company is excited to be working with AVTA, and that he believes their system is “the wave of the future” for electric vehicle charging.