Wireless Electric Taxi Charging Could Benefit Electric Taxi Drivers
After recent developments and some trials taking place, work is underway to make wireless electric car charging more of a reality.
For many electric taxi drivers, the prospect of wireless charging may be an exciting one. Eliminating the need for wires and cables, it could offer taxi drivers a new, convenient way to charge their vehicles on the go.
But how close is the reality of wireless electric taxi charging? And what work needs to be done to get there? In this article, we’ll take you through all the latest on the subject.
What is wireless charging and how does it work?
Wireless charging is an alternative to plug-in charging and works similarly to wireless phone charging. Also known as inductive charging, this uses electromagnetic energy, where a current passes from charging pad to device.
There are two kinds of wireless charging currently being trialled. The first is static wireless charging as mentioned above, where the device is placed atop a charging pad. The second is dynamic wireless charging and involves specific infrastructure allowing on-the-road charging.
Both methods have seen initial trials, which we’ll come onto next though they are very much in their infancy.
What trials have taken place?
Last year in Nottingham, the Wireless Charging of Electric Taxis (WiCET) initiative took place. For four months, drivers were able to charge a fleet of modified vehicles wirelessly using five 11kW induction charging pads.
These were installed on the road surface at the taxi rank on Trent Street, and nine vehicles were modified to help with testing. Five of these were LEVC TX taxis, while the remaining four were converted Nissan eNV200 Dynamo taxis.
The taxis were fitted with an HMI screen inside the cabin, allowing drivers to align their vehicles to sit above the charging pad. With the system able to detect different cars, drivers were able to pay through an online app meaning they didn’t even have to exit the taxi.
Protected by a ‘light curtain’ system, the charging pad would automatically stop charging if this was broken. While also able to detect foreign metal objects which could heat up if they remained on the charging pad.
Tests showed the system achieved a 90% power transfer efficiency, matching that of plug-in chargers. Likened to ‘grazing’, the system would be well-suited for top-up charging on the go to help keep the battery at optimal level.
With issues like the limited power, WiFi dropouts, and vehicle positioning, there is much more to be done to make it more efficient.
Dynamic wireless charging isn’t a new phenomenon. One of the first working prototypes was built at the University of California in the 1980s.
This involves a strip built into the road allowing EVs to charge wirelessly while driving along. Though with one kilometre of charging road costing more than a charging station, it has never been rolled out.
The technology would bring drivers a great advantage, minimising time spent at charging stations. In 2017, a trial at Qualcomm’s test site in France demonstrated its potential. A fleet of Renault Kangoo vans were driven up a 100-metre stretch of wireless charging road at 60mph, while charging at 20kW.
Dynamic wireless charging would be game-changing for those who drive EVs for a living, like electric taxi drivers. However, the large expense of building these roads mean that we’re unlikely to see them any time soon.
Find your next electric taxi at The Taxi Centre
It may be a while before we see more development on wireless electric taxi charging, but we can still help you find the perfect electric taxi! At The Taxi Centre, we stock a wide range of new electric taxis to help you cut your emissions and enjoy a smoother drive.
Not sure about electric? Explore our range of hybrid taxi options available to meet your needs. Whichever you choose, benefit from our taxi finance options to help you spread the costs. With electric taxis, you could also benefit from a number of government grants to offset the initial costs.
Browse our latest deals available below or get in touch with our taxi specialists if you have any questions.