Dynamic induction charging becoming a reality?
Though once the stuff of science fiction, induction charging has already been finding its way into consumer electronics products in recent years.
Despite academic interest and much research investment by transport authorities and automotive corporations, finding a way of making it work "out in the wild" has generally been dismissed as a viable solution to the complex charging challenges that are so far holding back widespread consumer EV adoption.
The principles of the concept have been well understood for a long time, but effective implementation remains a huge challenge. It is a hugely expensive undertaking that would require comprehensive infrastructure replanning and renewal, to say nothing of the immense energy demands that all EV charging solutions share.
But that isn't stopping some consortiums from trying to prove the concept - one such is headed by Stellantis, the 2021 rebranded Amsterdam headquartered car group formed by the merger between Fiat Chrysler and the French Peugeot Group (PSA).
In association with an impressive line-up of partners, it has inaugurated the innovative "Arena del Futuro" ('Arena of the Future') circuit near Brescia in northern Italy where dynamic induction charging is being field tested.
'equipped EVs can be charged wirelessly'
The 1,050 m long circuit is powered with an electrical output of 1 MW and, using DWPT (Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer), electric vehicles can be charged "wirelessly" by driving them in wired lanes over innovative technology that has been installed under the road surface. Testing the viability of such a system is now under way.
To do so, the first vehicles (a new Fiat 500 and an Iveco E-Way bus) have been fitted out with the necessary receiving kit "and have already clocked up many kilometres, with more than encouraging results," according to Turin based Stellantis.
"DWPT receiver equipped electric vehicles can be charged 'wirelessly' by driving them in wired lanes with an innovative system of turns installed under the tarmac. This technology can be adapted for all vehicles equipped with the special 'receiver', which transfers the energy incoming from the road infrastructure to the battery, aiming at a 'zero-emissions' mobility system. At the same time, the advanced connectivity over IOT (Internet of Things) technologies will guarantee maximum road safety, made possible by constant dialogue between the freeway and the vehicles travelling along them. The road surface will also be optimised to make it more durable without altering the efficiency and effectiveness of the inductive charge."
Time magazine recently cited the "Arena del Futuro" as one of the 100 most important inventions of 2021. The combined Stellantis group is currently the world's 6th largest car maker with brands ranging from Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and RAM to Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Abarth, Vauxhall and Maserati.
