Wireless charging for electric cars is moving from concept to real world roads, as researchers in Switzerland test inductive systems – that could one day turn parked EVs into silent helpers for the energy transition.
In a cooperative project led by energy supplier Eniwa AG, Empa and partners have trialled inductive charging under everyday conditions in the INLADE pilot.
A base plate with a transmitter coil sends power via a magnetic field to a receiver coil in the vehicle, so charging starts automatically as soon as the car is parked correctly.
“The aim was to test the existing technology in everyday use, clarify technical and regulatory issues, and demonstrate its potential for the energy transition,” said Mathias Huber from Empa’s Chemical Energy Carriers and Vehicle Systems lab.
AMAG and other partners converted existing electric cars by adding receiver coils and integrating them with charging management and high voltage systems.
Extensive electromagnetic compatibility testing ensured the magnetic field does not interfere with other devices or people.
The converted vehicles have now received individual approval for Swiss roads while retaining the option to charge via cable.
Real world tests in snow, rain and temperature swings with slight parking deviations showed an efficiency of around 90%, similar to conventional cable charging.
“The technology works very reliably in practice and is similarly efficient to conventional charging systems,” Huber said.
Because cars typically stand still for around 23 hours a day, inductive systems could connect them to the grid far more often without driver effort.
Bidirectional charging would allow batteries to act as flexible storage, supporting renewable power and cutting costs by charging when solar generation is high.
“The big advantage of an inductive system is that vehicles are connected to the grid much more frequently without the need for any active intervention,” Huber added.
“Wireless charging” could turn EVs into clean power buffers appeared first on Energy Live News.