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EU-funded project develops wireless recharging solutions for electric cars

Xinhua, August 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Union-funded FASTINCHARGE project designed a wireless means of recharging electric vehicles (EV), according to an EU statement issued on Friday.

In doing so, the project aimed to make electric vehicles more appealing to consumers, therefore helping car makers become more competitive, said the statement.

FASTINCHARGE, due for completion this year, examined both stationary recharging and the possibility of recharging en route.

By now, researchers have completed the design of a new wireless charging station, with key features including simplicity of use, easy maintenance, accessibility and clear visual indications on how to position the car.

The new station is also equipped to exchange charging data with the vehicle, including user ID, supplier ID, duration of charge and energy meter information, and provide communication and guidance throughout the charging process.

"The actual physical interaction between the user and the station is limited, as this will be controlled by a tablet located in the car," explained project coordinator Alexis Vanoost from Douaisienne de Basse Tension, France. "A new application is being developed for this tablet, which will keep EV drivers aware of available charging stations and ensure that stations and vehicles can communicate."

The project also investigated en route wireless charging technologies, which have the potential to significantly increase vehicle range and reduce the size of on-board energy storage systems.

Currently, the team is working to improve the efficiency of inductive power transfer modules (IPTM), which will enable electric cars to conveniently recharge while parked with a wireless connection. Wireless recharging can also occur when an electric vehicle drives between arranged inductive panels situated strategically along the road, and keeping it on the road for longer.

The project team was running a series of demonstration tests of the panels in the northern French city of Douai from October 2014 until October 2015. The researchers would assess the efficiency and viability of wireless charging, the benefits to EV users and the impact on the electric grid. Endit