Transport solutions like Volvo’s Electric Hybrid bus present ripe opportunities for cities to reduce their carbon footprint. But while buses are a natural target for quick charging solutions, Spanish company Opbrid wants to see the reach of its overhead high-power charging system extended to other types of commercial vehicles.

Engineered by Furrer+Frey of Switzerland, the Trůkbaar system is designed to be mounted on the roof of heavy duty electric vehicles. The system works roughly off the same principle as those found on electric trains, except that it is only engaged when the vehicle stops at the charging station.

Once parked next to the charging station the charging arm, comprised of four contact bars, is lowered to make contact with the charge unit on the vehicle’s roof. The articulating arm is designed to accommodate varying vehicle heights and can retract vertically to a height of 4.5 meters (14.7 ft).

Using high-power DC charging systems, both the Opbrid Trůkbaar and the new version for buses with which it is 100 percent compatible (the Bůsbaar V3) can charge at up to 650 kW. The system can operate 24 hours a day and can be retrofitted to commercial vehicles including garbage trucks, delivery vehicles, street cleaners and airport vehicles.

Opbrid also points out that with the new design, the system can better be integrated or hidden into existing streetscapes, making for a less visually obtrusive.

The Volvo hybrid-bus tested in Sweden last year used a similar charging unit and was capable of recharging in around six minutes, giving an all electric range of approximately 4.5 miles (Photo: Opbrid)

Trials of the Volvo hybrid-bus in Gothenburg, Sweden, showed the system was capable of recharging in around six minutes, giving the bus an all electric range of approximately 4.5 miles (7 km).

The video below shows the Opbrid charging system in action with a Volvo hybrid bus.

The Opbrid Trůkbaar and Bůsbaar V3 will debut this month at the International Motor Show for Commercial Vehicles (IAA) in Hanover, Germany.

Sources: Opbrid, IAA