Induction charging technology for electric vehicles
Induction charging: technology description
Contactless charging technology for electric vehiclesalso known as induction charging, offers a convenient, wireless method of powering electric vehicle batteries. This is done from a specially-equipped track where coils are installed that are activated only when the electric vehicle passes. This is known as an "electric road".
As a result, this innovative technology eliminates the need to physically plug in a cable to recharge, simplifying the recharging process, but not only that. This futuristic solution could also offer the possibility of reducing the capacity of the vehicle's on-board batteries, reducing both weight and price.
There could be two modes of induction charging for electric vehicles:
Static charging: Induction charging takes place when your electric vehicle is parked (in a shopping mall parking lot, in your garage, at a freeway service area, etc.). To recharge, you would park your car above a base or box placed on the ground. A magnetic field transmits electricity to the vehicle's charger.
Dynamic charging: This DEVC (Dynamic Electric Vehicle Charging) mode enables you to recharge your electric vehicle while driving, thanks to a device integrated into the specially designed pavement. You no longer need to make compulsory stops over long distances, as your electric vehicle will be continuously supplied. Studies on this subject have been carried out in several countries, including the UK and Sweden. However, a major drawback is the high cost of installing this system in roadways.
The aim of the induction charging project
This project will assess the commercial and technical viability of deploying induction charging for electric cars. electric cars. The project in question, which has been studied across the globe for several years now, could revolutionize the electric vehicle market, but above all could facilitate the ecological transition for all. Indeed, we know that the main obstacles to switching to electric vehicles arerange and price. What's more, this solution would be particularly well-suited to the needs of the logistics and long-distance road haulage sectors.
As a result, this technology could offset these drawbacks, not to mention the benefits for the planet in terms of reduced air pollution. to achieve thetarget of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2040 in France.
It's important to remember that exposure to particulate pollution from internal combustion vehicles increases the risk of premature death, as well as cancer in children. According to the Agence française de sécurité sanitaire de l'environnement et du travail (Afsset), air pollution, of which approx. ⅓ is attributable to pollutant emissions from vehicles, is responsible for the premature death of 6,500 to 9,500 people in France every year..
What are the advantages of contactless top-up?
Indeed, this inductive recharging technology could cause a veritable tidal wave in the electric car market, and more broadly in the automotive market.
Following the French government's announcements in recent years, combustion-powered cars could potentially see their sales fall at the expense of more environmentally-friendly models:
- 2030 :
- diesel vehicles will be banned in France. Restrictive measures have already been put in place, notably with the use of Crit'Air stickers in certain Low Emission Zones (ZFE).
- combustion-powered vehicles will no longer be permitted in the Paris region and certain EPZsand will be regulated by the Crit'Air sticker system.
- 2035 :
- This year will mark the banning of petrol vehicles and the end of the marketing of combustion-powered vehicles in the EU.
If you want to know more about the subject : The end of combustion-powered cars in 2035 is confirmed
These measures are designed to encourage the adoption of cleaner vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the transition to more sustainable mobility.
The introduction of wireless recharging systems on freeways would make it possible to the rapid discharge of batteries on these one of the major drawbacks of electric vehicles. In theory, this would open up the possibility of travel long distances without the need for frequent recharging.
What's more, if all long-distance journeys were supported by freeways equipped with inductive charging, the design of electric vehicles would evolve. In this context, it would be possible to use lower-capacity batteries: in short, electric vehicle models would become lighter, improving their energy efficiency and discharge less quickly.
The absence of physical connections could make the less vulnerable to wear and tear. Another significant advantage is that wireless charging systems have little orif at allaffected by weather conditions or dirt..
The current state of induction charging democratization: where do we stand?
The fast-charging project is no longer just a concept! Many organizations and universities are currently working on it. Here are four of the most promising projects.
To find out more : The A10 implements induction charging for electric cars ?
Wireless Charging of Electric Taxis" project
The English government has funded a £3.4 million project called Wireless Charging of Electric Taxis (WiCET)to test this technology on electric and hybrid cabs.
For further details, during a three-month period, nine vehicles will be equipped with a wireless charging system and deployed in a pilot project in Nottingham. Each vehicle will benefit from wireless charging capacity of 10 kW. The aim is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the charging concept based on cab ranks and to set up a functional billing system.
With the participation of a British electric vehicle manufacturer, London EV Company Limited (LEVC), and the Japanese manufacturer Nissan, have made available Dynamo EVs on the Nissan side and TX models with range extenders on the LEVC side.
This system enables simultaneous charging of several vehiclesThis is particularly useful for cabs, which can recharge their electric vehicles while waiting for customers. Initial pilot tests confirmed that the wireless charging system achieved efficiency of around 90%..
The aims of this demonstration project are to establish the validity of the technical and economic aspects of wireless charging for Hackney Carriages in medium-sized and large cities. In addition, it consolidates the UK's position as a world leader in highlighting the potential of emerging technologies in the field of clean mobility, aligning its efforts with the objectives of the government's Road to Net Zero strategy.
Here is the YouTube video if you want to know a bit more about this project: Nottingham Wireless Taxi charging - How it works
To find out more : Net Zero: is this Europe's future?
Project at Chalmers University
Researchers at Sweden's Chalmers University, under the supervision of Professor Yujing Liu, have developed a highly efficient induction technology.
Induction charging offers charging power of up to 500 kWputting it head and shoulders above today's best wired solutions. It offers exceptional power without the need for cables, thanks to the use of silicon carbide semiconductors.use of silicon carbide semiconductors. This solution could recharge batteries in just a few minutes.
As a reminder, current fast-charging systems offer power up to 350 kW.
This innovation operates at a frequency of 80 kHzwhereas conventional induction systems generally use a frequency of 20 kHz.
It's important to note that the higher the frequency, the greater the heat generated during recharging. To offset this effect, the scientists opted to use coils made from Litz wireswires, which consist of individually insulated copper strands.
Unlike conventional induction charging systems, which can lose up to 50% of their energy, this new system developed by Chalmers University only loses 1 to 2% of the energy generated. These minimal, barely perceptible losses represent a significant advance.
FABRIC" project
This project FABRICproject, a collaborative program with Qualcomm Halo worth 9 million euros, has been partially funded by the European Union. Its aim is to assess the economic viability and technological feasibility of a dynamic induction charging system for DEVC (Dynamic Electric Vehicle Charging) electric vehicles. The project involved the collaboration of 25 partners from nine different European countries.
This wireless recharging technology could continuously supply up to 20 kW of energy to the batteries of a moving electric vehicle, reaching a maximum speed of 100 km/h. Real-life tests have been carried out in various locations: the system, which is integrated under the roadway, comprises a box connected to the electrical network, feeding induction plates.
These plates would transmit energy by means of an electromagnetic field to these two plates placed at the front and rear of the vehicle. The current would be converted and routed to the batteries.
This system would be operational even in wet weather, in the presence of snow or in the event of contamination by substances such as oils.
| Electrical and lighting conditions | |
|---|---|
|
Current |
Electromagnetic current transmitted at a standard frequency of 85 kHz |
|
Length |
100 m - (portion of road equipped at Versailles Satory) |
|
Height |
Up to 17.5 cm - (between road and vehicle floor) |
|
Width |
Dimensions (L x W) 600 x 350 mm (secondary coils under vehicle) |
|
Implementation |
Prototype designed for installation on road sections + no ferrous materials near the system |
WEB-3 Advanced" project
A research group led by Professor Yushi Kamiya of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, in collaboration with Toshiba Corporation, has designed an electric bus featuring high-frequency wireless charging technology, combined with a lithium-ion battery. high-frequency wireless recharging technology, combined with a lithium-ion battery.. On February 1ᵉʳ, 2016, in partnership with the city of Kawasaki and various air transport companies across the country, trials were initiated to evaluate the new rechargeable bus named WEB-3 Advanced (Waseda Electric Bus-3 Advanced).
These tests began in the vicinity of Japan's Haneda airport and the King SkyFront innovation center of the International Strategic Special Service.
This electric bus is designed to meet the needs of short, high-frequency journeys, while addressing the challenges associated with the adoption of electric vehicles. It aims to minimize the cost, size and weight of vehicles, including their batteries.
The WEB is equipped with a electromagnetic resonance wireless charger wireless charger developed by Toshiba Corporation, enabling operators to recharge the bus quickly, safely and efficiently.
WEB-related research and development efforts have led to a reduction in the initial costs and weight of electric vehicles, while preserving adequate space inside the vehicle. What's more, this research collaboration has enabled drivers to recharge their vehicles at the touch of a button.
| Advanced WEB-3 specifications | |
|---|---|
|
Name |
Waseda Electric Bus-3 Advanced (WEB-3 Advanced) |
|
Tare weight |
5990 kg |
|
Dimensions |
L6.99 × W2.08 × H3.10 m |
|
Capacity |
31 passengers |
|
Engine |
UQM "PowerPhase145": Maximum power 145 kW |
|
Battery |
Lithium-ion (TOSHIBA "SCiB TM": 3 parallel series 12 / 40 kWh / 331 V) |
|
Wireless charger |
TOSHIBA cordless charger: 44 kW at 105 mm gap |
|
Cruising range |
50 km maximum (on public roads with air conditioning off) |
|
Power consumption |
Approx. 1.5 km/kWh (on public roads with air conditioning off) |
What are the challenges of induction charging?
This innovative recharging solution for electric vehicles could revolutionize the market, bringing real added value to users and encouraging green mobility. However, the subject of inductive charging is littered with limitations and challenges, which we will list below.
Limited recharge range
Induction charging often requires the vehicle to be very close to the charging source, limiting the flexibility of the charging location. This limitation can make recharging more restrictive, especially in public spaces where charging stations where conventional charging stations offer a greater range.
Substantial costs prove a deterrent
The installation of wireless charging systems can be costly due to the need for specific infrastructure, such as charging plates embedded in the pavement. These additional costs may discourage some stakeholders, including public parking managers, from deploying these technologies.
Electromagnetic interference
Induction charging systems can be sensitive to electromagnetic interference, which can affect efficiency and reliability. Environments where multiple vehicles are charging simultaneously can be prone to such problems.
Energy efficiency
Although induction charging technology has made progress in reducing energy losses, it can still have higher energy losses than traditional charging methods. Even so, in the Chalmers University project, this loss would be between 1 and 2%, according to Professor Yujing Liu. In view of recent advances aimed at improving the energy efficiency of these systems, this limitation could be resolved.
International deployment in jeopardy
Although induction charging technology is under development, large-scale deployment can be a limitation due to the investment required to set up an extensive infrastructure. Its use is more common in specific environments, such as public transport or experiments.
The energy efficiency of wireless charging systems may be slightly lower than that of traditional cable charging, as a fraction of the energy is dissipated as heat during wireless transmission.
Lower battery costs
The rapid decline in battery costs could delay or even call into question the future of this technology, which was once seen as an argument in its favor. While the reduction in battery costs may be justified from an environmental point of view, it raises questions about its economic viability. In less than 10 years, the price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of batteries has already fallen significantlyand a further 65% reduction is expected by 2030.
In addition, our article Electric car battery autonomy: where do we stand? might interest you if you'd like to learn more about the world of electric batteries.
Induction fast charging: what conclusions can we draw?
The contactless fast-charging system for electric cars is the subject of lively debate. Indeed, throughout this article, we've listed the many advantages offered by this innovative solution that could accelerate the ecological transition.
Unfortunately, although there have been a multitude of projects in favor of induction charging, they have all been put on hold, and this is no coincidence. Although the many advantages of induction charging could remove the last remaining disincentives to the purchase of 100% electric models, the democratization of this project requires substantial funding and a common international agreement to be able to put this wireless charging system on the road.
Waiting for this revolutionary charging idea to be implemented, Beev helps you find the best charging solution for your vehicle. Our experts offer you personalized support and safe installation of your charging station by our IRVE-certified installers.
This charging solution is therefore one to keep a close eye on. In view of the exponential speed of technological advances, the current limitations of wireless charging could be overcome, and a project could officially see the light of day!
To be continued!
