Images of queues at an electric car charging station on the Eastern Highway went viral at Easter. Dozens of users had to wait hours to recharge their cars during their spring break trips in an episode that highlights the need to improve charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
It is no coincidence that this scenario occurred on one of the busiest roads during holiday periods in which thousands of citizens leave the metropolitan area of ??Madrid to spend a few days of rest on the Levantine coast. Spain is one of the countries that is at the bottom of Europe in terms of the number of charging stations.
But beyond implementing a broader charging network, innovative solutions are being explored to provide greater comfort and ease for electric vehicle drivers. One of these projects is led by Coventry University (United Kingdom), which is developing an induction charging system. This technology allows electric vehicles to absorb electricity while traveling on roads specially enabled for this.
Induction charging involves the use of metal coils placed under the asphalt to transfer electricity to vehicles as they drive. The project developed by Coventry University is called Dynacov and is promoted by the Key Cities Innovation Network, the organization chosen to launch this initiative.
The Kenilworth road, at the junction with the A-45, about 10 kilometers from the center of Coventry, has been chosen to implement this charging system. Although it requires a significant investment, both financially and technologically, this innovative solution is expected to provide a more efficient charging experience for drivers.
The promoters of this technology intend to implement wireless charging by local communities and expand its use nationwide. Kevin Vincent, director of the Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Research Center at Coventry University, highlights the importance of innovation in the fight against climate change. “Innovation will be essential to address the causes and consequences of climate change. Coventry has a long tradition in this field, especially in the transport sector. “Solutions like this will accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.”
In addition, this system eliminates the need to use stored energy, which could increase the available autonomy. This would be especially useful to avoid anxiety due to the fear of being left without autonomy, known as range anxiety. With wireless charging on the move, electric vehicles could be continuously recharged while on the road, which could also contribute to a broader expansion of electric mobility.
However, there are two aspects to consider in relation to these projects. Firstly, there is the potential cost and magnitude of the works required to install these coils underground along multi-kilometre stretches of road. Secondly, electric cars would require equipping a special induction plate to absorb wireless charging, an accessory that is not currently included as standard in any electric vehicle available on the market.
Over the last few years, various experiments have been carried out to test the viability of wireless charging of electric vehicles while they are in motion. Renault has been involved in research projects for this technology since 2012 and Stellantis develops the Arena of the Future program in collaboration with other partners, such as the concessionaire of the Italian A-35 highway.
The company that brings together brands such as Peugeot, Citröen and Fiat under its umbrella has an induction charging circuit that is responsible for transmitting electromagnetic energy to vehicles that have a special receiver to absorb it.