Cables with wireless charging terminals on the floor could put an end to the main limitation of electric cars: autonomy. Pilot project progresses to 18 months of testing.
Soon, the main roads in the UK, outside the urban perimeter, will be able to charge the batteries of electric cars and plug-in hybrids. No tokens, no stops, no waiting. In motion!
The British government will implement this wireless charging system on a pilot highway in order to study the feasibility of this technology in real conditions for 18 months. So far, the British government has invested 250,000 euros with this project, an amount that could escalate to 710 million euros in the next 5 years with progress in the project's implementation.
As with wireless mobile phone chargers – the new Audi Q7 is already equipped with this technology for mobile phones – the roads will use magnetic induction technology. Cables installed under the road generate electromagnetic fields that are captured and transformed into energy by receivers in cars. The aim of this project is to help drivers of electric and hybrid cars avoid frequent stops to recharge their vehicles and also protect the environment.
“Transport technologies are advancing at an ever-accelerating pace and we are committed to supporting the growth of very low emission vehicles on English roads,” said Mike Wilson, principal engineer at Highways England, mentoring company for this project.
Source: Clean Technica / Observer
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