Wireless charging to world-debut on UK South Western Railway trains

Baker Bellfield and Aircharge have announced on-train wireless charging will debut on South Western Railway’s (SWR) refurbished and reconfigured Class 444 Siemens Desiro five-car EMUs on the London Waterloo–Southampton–Bournemouth–Weymouth route from November 2018. When the refurbishment programme is completed, all 172 of SWR Desiro trains will have this new feature.

With mobile devices becoming the best travel companions for personal and business purposes, including the use of mobile check-in applications and mobile payments, passengers are more than ever in need of a safe and convenient way to keep their device battery fully powered whilst travelling.

The wireless charging solution is integrated directly into tables in SWR’s first class carriages as a complimentary service offered to passengers, enabling them to top-up their mobile phone by simply placing the device onto the charger without the need of a cable. Utilising the universal standard for wireless charging, Qi, the system is directly compatible with over 130 Qi certified smartphone models.

The wireless charging units are the first to be manufactured specifically for rolling stock, complying with all mandatory railway applications and standards including EN501121‐3‐2‐2016, EN50155:2017, GMRT 2100. They are also IP55 rated, meaning they offer water and dust protection.

Either surface or sub-surface mounted, the wireless charging solution provides the flexibility of being integrated into tables, seat back tables, dado panels, window panels, grab rails and even side ceiling panels for metro applications, meaning expansion in standard class carriages and onto other railway vehicles is expected in the future.

“Wireless charging represents the future of charging mobile devices and the partnership with Aircharge will allow us to create a new standard for the railway rolling stock sector and beyond,” said Robert Wilkin, Business Development Manager at Baker Bellfield.

The train installation is part of Aircharge’s growth plan to further extend its wireless charging ecosystem into public transport, alongside its already established presence in public venues. Steve Liquorish, CEO and Founder of Aircharge, commented: “To date we have already deployed our solution on buses and in a number of airports and train stations across the UK railway network, in Europe, the U.S. and the Middle East. The expansion into trains consolidates our position as the leading provider for the transport sector, enhancing our public space proposition and offering users a convenient solution when they are most in need of keeping their mobile phones charged.”

Baker Bellfield is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial interior solutions for the rail sector, and Aircharge is a global leader in wireless charging solutions for contract use.