Implementation and trials of EV wireless Charging.

Coming along with our previous posts, complementing David’s post on USU wireless electrical bus and finishing with the automotive industry, here are some other real implementations, trials and products of EV wireless charging we found already on the market!

·         Qualcomm acquired HaloIPT and did a trial of wireless charging pads in London. If you read our previous posts you can understand that this trial was implemented with cars that had a receiver coil that will get the energy from a transmitter coil installed in some parking spots through the city.

·         Another company called Plug-less Power in collaboration with Bosch, is commercializing already wireless charging pads for certain EV vehicles in the market such as Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt. The company is planning to expand its services. Check their video!

   

·         HEVO Power will provide opportunistic charging, known as Green​ Park​ing Zones​,​ for New York City dwellers and commuters gearing up to purchase a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle starting next year. Incredibly convenient, once you park, your car will start powering up​right away.  These static and quasi-dynamic wireless charging locations provide cost savings and emission reduction benefits for both vehicle owners and municipalities. HEVO's wireless solution also eliminates the hassle and potential liability risk of an EV power cord in an urban setting. EV drivers will be able to use an app that provides key features like Map It! to find vacant spots; Park it! to guide you into the right location over power stations; Pay It! which provides users with wireless bill pay; Want It! for discounts and coupons offered by local vendors in the area; a Power meter, so you can visually check on your vehicle powering up; and data utilization which shows our users their battery percentage, balances and emission savings.

·         Toyota Central R&D Labs and Toyohashi University of technology develop a prototype of dynamic charging. Currently, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a version of the idea, what they call the on-line electric vehicle (OLEV) system. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) decided to license the technology which it’s been tested and implemented at Boston’s Logan Airport. OLEVs are charged by wireless power supply strips embedded in roadbeds as they travel above. The university hopes the deal will lead to further exports to cities or airports in the U.S. and environmentally sensitive regions such as Europe. It is already in talks to supply the system to Park City in Utah.  

    These OLEVs buses are also currently being operated at Seoul Zoo. The tram is equipped with a battery that is one-fifth the size of a typical EV battery and doesn't need overhead power wires to keep it charged. The prototype was the world's first electromagnetically-charged tram. THE OLEV is used too at Seoul Grand Park amusement park and shuttle buses on the school campus and few lines. We can see how once the technology emerge and is implemented successfully.

Because of the fixed routes buses run and frequent stops they make, induction charging is ideal and engineers can ensure that buses get a proper charge every trip without a need to stop and recharge. Instead of charging up a massive battery overnight or before a route, a smaller battery setup will recharge through time. The smaller batteries also free up interior space, reduce downtime and lower battery costs — although induction plates must be added to bus stops. Ideally, this technology would be used in city centers to replace noisy, smoky diesel buses.

Induction charging is already powering buses in some countries here in Europe:

You might think charging a bus through induction may be a new idea but buses in Torino, Italy have used this system since 2003, routes in Utrecht, the Netherlands, since 2010, there some routes in other cities like Augsburg in Germany…

Example in Germany. 

Thanks to the Primove trial of two electric buses in the city of Mannheim, passengers on the bus 63 route in Mannheim are riding the bus in a more peaceful, quieter and environmental friendly way. Charging pads were installed at stops along the route and the bus is able to run without interruption and charge while it’s picking up passengers. Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology take data gleaned from the tested bus to determine whether the batteries installed in the trial buses were the right size for the vehicle, and also monitor how much stress the electric buses put on the local power grid.

Example in Netherlands.

E-Moss is testing a 39-foot all-electric bus and induction charging panels in Den Bosch.

This bus is a converted Volvo that has had its diesel heart ripped out and replaced with batteries and an inductive power transfer wireless charging system. The bus uses both overnight wired charging and on-the-route wireless opportunity charges at bus stops.

We have seen there are plenty of examples around us. Next time while I am waiting to take the bus, for sure I am going to pay attention to the stop and the bus itself, how cool could be to stand in a bus that is better for our enviroment and moves smoothly using our beloved wireless power technology?