Innovative charging solutions are becoming more popular at the same pace as the electric car is gaining market share, and among them, there is wireless charging which could soon become a reality.
Recharging your smartphone by induction, that is to say without a wired system, is now commonplace in the telephone industry. However, this technology has not yet frankly democratized on other sectors, even if they could have a real interest for “mobile” devices.
And what’s more mobile than a car? With the advent of the electric car, many manufacturers are looking into the problems associated with charging. The most common solution is obviously charging via a terminal with a wire connecting the car and the charging infrastructure. But several companies, including China’s Nio, have just set up a battery swap system in minutes. The principle ? Automatically exchange a nearly empty battery for a full battery.
Very specific conditions
Inductive charging can most certainly play a crucial role in the future of the electric car, but its expensive infrastructure could be a brake on its development. However, several companies are exploring this niche, particularly in England, with the project ” Wireless Charging of Electric Taxis funded by the UK government.
At a taxi rank in Nottingham, nine electric and hybrid taxis are now charging via 10 kW induction hobs. For this experiment, two manufacturers answered the call: London EV Company Limited (LEVC), a British electric vehicle manufacturer, and Nissan. The Japanese manufacturer has made available four Dynamo EV and LEVC four TX models with range extenders.
The cars are fitted with receivers which will enable them to be ‘linked’ to five in-ground transmitters directly in the taxi stand near Nottingham station. To activate charging, drivers will simply have to align the car in a defined area using a screen integrated into the passenger compartment. Charging by induction will then start automatically.
Only 10 kW charging power
The system allows the simultaneous charging of several vehicles. Taxis will be able to charge while they wait for customers, for example. A first phase of pilot testing demonstrated that the wireless charging system showed around 90% efficiencybut with charging power of only 10 kW.
In other words, to refuel via this system on a model whose battery is 50 kWh, it will take about 5 hours, compared to less than an hour on average on a fast terminal.
Will this technology be brought to democratization in the future? Certainly, even if the infrastructure is expensive. For this experiment, the British government paid the sum of £3.4m (approximately 3.8 million euros), with research and development costs, of course, but in any case, if this system has to be made more democratic, this will generate unprecedented expenses and far exceed the mere fact the development of the electric car in general.
This induction charging technology will certainly be adapted to very specific situations, such as taxis, for example, or in parking spaces, but certainly not directly on our roads.
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