Powering public transit: a data-driven assessment of DWPT feasibility for German bus routes

In order to achieve Germany’s climate neutrality targets by 2045, the electrification of public transport is a significant lever for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector. Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) technology, which enables inductive charging of electric buses while they are in motion, is a promising solution for reducing charging times and battery sizes. Its technical potential at the national level in Germany has not yet been assessed. This study presents a novel methodology to assess the municipal-level potential of DWPT in Germany using open-source geospatial and public transit schedule data. By applying a shortest-path routing algorithm to bus stops, we estimate bus routes, and through recursive optimization techniques, the study identifies the most productive locations for Wireless Charging Lanes (WCL) in 696 German municipalities with over 20,000 inhabitants. The focus of this study is methodological scalability and data applicability rather than algorithmic optimality guarantees. The analysis estimates transferable energy potentials for WCLs of 1000 m, 2000 m, and 5000 m lengths and evaluates their impact on operating emissions and battery sizing. Results show that cities with centralized bus networks – such as Wiesbaden and Aachen – exhibit the highest DWPT potential. While the overall national operating emission reduction potential is low, certain municipalities demonstrate comparatively high local benefits. Furthermore, case studies using real vehicle schedules from Balingen suggest that DWPT can significantly reduce required battery capacities, especially in scenarios with limited downtime. This research highlights the value of combining open data and open-source tools for energy system planning and provides a replicable framework for assessing DWPT infrastructure deployment in other regions.