Qualcomm announces first EV wireless charging trial for London
10 November 2011
Qualcomm Incorporated, which just recently acquired the team and technology of wireless charging company HaloIPT (earlier post), announced the first Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) trial for London in what is a UK and industry-leading initiative. Qualcomm is collaborating with the UK Government, as well as the Mayor of London’s office and Transport for London (TfL) to deliver the trial.
Addison Lee, the UK’s largest minicab company, and Chargemaster plc, a European operator of advanced EV charging infrastructure, have also agreed to participate in the WEVC London trial. The pre-commercial trial is expected to start in early 2012 and will involve as many as 50 electric vehicles (EVs). The trial will use Qualcomm wireless inductive power transfer technology that enables high-efficiency power transfer across a large air gap.
The driver simply parks the vehicle in the usual way and the system automatically aligns for power transfer, making parking easier and charging hassle free.
The trial, which will be based partially in Tech City, the East London cluster receiving the strong support of the Prime Minister, is planned to leverage the Tech City entrepreneurial community and encourage companies to innovate around services and applications, in order to enhance the smart EV experience.
Qualcomm is very pleased to be participating in the London WEVC pre-commercial trial, which builds on the existing trials of electric vehicles sponsored by the Technology Strategy Board and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles in the UK. Wireless charging eradicates the EV plug-in cable and makes charging of electric vehicles simple and easy for drivers.
—,Andrew Gilbert, executive vice president of European Innovation Development at Qualcomm
A Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging steering committee with representatives from TfL, the Mayor’s office, and central Government will be set up to oversee the trial. The trial is open to any company, such as vehicle manufacturers, that wishes to participate. Companies should register their interest at www.qualcomm.com/wireless-ev-charging.
Very interesting trial for future wireless (fixed) wireless charging systems. Advanced BEVs will probably use this technology followed by a mobile (on-the-move) version on selected highways.
Posted by: HarveyD | 10 November 2011 at 07:24 AM
This is the killer app for short range plugin hybrids like the Prius. For me, the 24 km all electric range of the Prius is not really worth the hassle of plugging it in. A wireless charger makes it much more appealing to me. We might see plugin hybrids with even shorter range if this technology becomes ubiquitous.
Another worry for me is that charging cables might be an easy target for vandalists or copper thieves or careless users. And finally, the charging infrastructure would be completely embedded in the road, almost invisible. This technology has many added advantages.
I hope they hurry up, this is really exciting stuff.
Posted by: Arne | 10 November 2011 at 08:24 AM
Wireless charging is key for EV proliferation and market penetration. In case masive wireless charging EV and EREV market potential could be several times wider.
Posted by: Darius | 10 November 2011 at 12:16 PM
Good points Anne.
Posted by: HarveyD | 10 November 2011 at 12:21 PM
Nah, the killer app is powering your home from your vehicle during an outage.. Something that could be easily done by plug-in hybrids.. they are already safe fuel tanks on wheels.
Posted by: Herm | 11 November 2011 at 08:55 PM