The Opportunities of IMC Technology

Welcome to a new era of flexible, high-capacity public transport.

A staple of the bus sector, trolleybuses operate in about 300 cities across the globe – and have done so for the past 130 years. Moving forward, the sector has a bright future thanks to in motion charging (IMC). That’s the topic of our new Knowledge Brief: Wires becoming charging infrastructure for in motion charging.

IMC trolleybuses are electric buses that can charge dynamically via an overhead contact network and can run on batteries for up to half of their route.

As a result, IMC trolleybuses have minimal battery size and weight, while their daily range is practically unlimited. Lighter vehicles, in turn, lead to better performance, less wear and tear, and reduce operational, environmental, and geopolitical costs and risks.

Reaching zero-emissions goals can happen much faster in cities deploying IMC technology, since IMC buses scale very well. In fact, IMC buses’ peak energy demand is lower than that of other types of electric buses, and they have the highest utilisation rate of charging infrastructure.

Highlights from the Knowledge Brief:

Multipurpose use of IMC infrastructure

7 reasons why IMC trolleybuses have the potential to form the backbone of a wider urban mobility electrification strategy.

IMC deployment in Prague, Czech Republic

How Prague is using a fleet of 1,200 fully electric trolleybuses to cut emissions, reduce noise pollution, and improve the efficiency of investment and operating costs.

OCS deployment in Stockholm, Sweden

The results from a Swedish study on the optimal conditions for IMC trolleybuses.

Comparative cost analysis

What IMC technology costs – and the advantages that make it worthwhile.

All You Need to Know About IMC Trolleybuses

This Knowledge Brief aims to show cities how their existing trolleybus technology can be advanced with emerging IMC technology to ensure the application of efficient, functional, trouble-free solutions proven in large-scale, real-life operational contexts.