This project involved installing eight 150kW Heavy Vehicle Chargers (HVCs) capable of charging three new Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) simultaneously overnight. These BEBs will be used on the 9-mile East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, known as the Connect1, running from downtown near the Northwestern Mutual complex to the Watertown Plank Road park-n-ride.
The BRT Connect1 route features a dedicated bus lane for part of the journey and operates with increased frequency. Additionally, there will be two charging stations along the Connect1 route, one at each end. The first station is operational at the Watertown Plank Road park-n-ride. The second charging station and boarding platform at the Couture in downtown Milwaukee, which serves as the starting point for the BRT Connect1. Each charging station includes a 450kW charger and a pantograph that connects to the bus’s rooftop, allowing for a full charge in as little as 3-6 minutes. The buses, designed and manufactured by Nova Bus, are tailored to meet the specific needs of MCTS and can travel up to 247 miles on a single charge.
