Automated Charging Systems for Electric Vehicles

Automated conductive charging solutions for electric vehicles
with Schunk Smart Charging

Electromobility demands infrastructure that is efficient, reliable, and hands-free. Schunk Smart Charging is a proven, high-performance, conductive charging system designed for buses, trucks, and industrial vehicles. With fast connection times and charging capacities up to 1 megawatt, our systems are deployed worldwide and fully scalable for international transit and logistics projects. Whether in public transport, depot operations, or autonomous vehicle fleets, our automated systems ensure safe, high-speed charging with zero manual intervention. With over 180 projects in 25+ countries, Schunk is your trusted partner for the future of e-mobility.

References

Conductive charging systems overview: bus-up, top-down, depot, and underbody

Electric buses and logistics vehicles need to be charged reliably, quickly and automatically during operation – on the route, in the depot and increasingly in autonomous processes. Schunk offers conductive charging systems for all common charging principles: bus-up pantographs on the vehicle roof, inverted top-down pantographs in the infrastructure, dedicated depot chargers and automated underbody systems in the ground. This enables transit and fleet operators to find the right solution for every vehicle fleet and every charging environment.

Our charging devices for electric vehicles

Depot Charger SLS 301

Inverted Pantograph SLS 201

Inverted Pantograph SLS 202

Roof Mounted Pantograph SLS 102 & SLS 103

Roof Mounted Pantograph SLS 104

Underbody Charger

Technical Data and Applications

Schunk Smart Charging systems at a glance

The table compares all systems side by side – by charging principle, position of the charging element, range, charging power and typical application. This lets you see at a glance which solution best suits your fleet and charging infrastructure.

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How automated charging works with Schunk Smart Charging

1. Vehicle positioning
Vehicle parks at the defined charging point. System compensates for alignment deviations.

2. Auto-connection
Depending on the system (Bus-Up, Top-Down, Underbody), the charging arm or unit engages automatically and securely.

3. High-power energy transfer
Up to 1 MW of power is transferred safely and efficiently in seconds. Enables flash charging for up to 100 km range.

4. Disconnection & departure
After charging, the system disconnects automatically. No manual intervention is required.

Advantages of automated charging systems for electric buses and industrial vehicles

Schunk Smart Charging is engineered for seamless integration into your operations—from municipal transit to heavy-duty logistics. Here’s what makes the system stand out:

Fully automated charging with no cables or plugs
Up to 1 MW charging power in less than 30 seconds
Efficient conductive technology – no energy loss from induction
Compatible with flash, depot, and opportunity charging scenarios
Tolerance compensation for imperfect vehicle positioning
Modular architecture for buses, trucks, ports, and airports
Proven for over 400,000+ charge cycles
Digital communication via ISO 15118

Certified for Global Use

Certified charging infrastructure for electric vehicles worldwide

Schunk’s Smart Charging infrastructure complies with leading global standards:

EN 50696 & IEC 63407: Automated-conductive high-power interface
ISO 15118: Vehicle-to-charging system communication
DIN EN 61851-23-1: Safety for DC charging
ISO 17409: Safe conductive charging
UL/ETL Certified: Approved for North America

Buy America Compliant: U.S. domestic sourcing available

Brochure: Depot Charger SLS 301

Depot charging with automated connection device

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Brochure: Schunk Smart Charging

Pioneering charging solutions for the mobile future

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Brochure: Charging up in Seconds

Highly efficient busbars for shorter charging times

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Brochure: Underbody-Charger

Fully automated charging system for electrical vehicles

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Brochure: Inverted Pantograph SLS202

SLS 202 – the new dimension of
versatility and working range

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Brochure: Pantograph SLS104

SLS 104 – Compact. Powerful. Efficient.

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Technical Datasheet: Inverted pantograph SLS 201.401

Learn more about the inverted pantograph SLS201.401 from Schunk – the compact solution for reliable current collection in limited space.

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Downloads

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Any Questions?

Get expert advice

Our experts advise you on Schunk Smart Charging for electric vehicles.

Timo Staubach

Head of SBA Battery Driven Vehicles

Expert and contact in the field of Battery Driven Vehicles

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Krakow, Poland

100+ electric buses with SLS 102 pantograph. Flash charging at end-of-line stops, full overnight depot charging.

To the blog post

Seattle, USA

SLS 201 with UL/ETL certification and Buy America compliance. Supports multiple bus heights at shared charging points

Zaragoza, Spain

68 vehicles charged with SLS 301 Depot Chargers. Lightweight design allows tight depot parking with minimal onboard hardware.

Further references

Discover even more projects

See all references

Newsletter

Always up to date – the Schunk Transit Systems newsletter

Receive the latest information on innovations, projects, and solutions for safe and efficient power transmission in the field of battery-driven vehicles.

3 facts: SLS 104

3 key facts about the SLS 104

What's new?

A quick deep-dive into our most advanced roof-mounted pantograph SLS 104

The SLS 104 at the KVB

Our state-of-the-art roof-mounted pantograph in action

Partners

Learn more about our partnerships

FAQ - frequently asked questions about Schunk Smart Charging

Depending on the system: 30 seconds to several minutes. Suitable for flash, depot, and overnight charging.

Yes. UL/ETL certified and Buy America compliant. Used in Seattle and other North American cities.

Conductive charging is more efficient, transmits higher power, and avoids magnetic losses.