Flanders DRIVE presents results of wireless charging study

The study shows that wireless charging using an inductive system can be done almost as efficiently as charging with a cable. The average efficiency of the charging systems used in the study exceeds 90% both for stationary and dynamic charging at speeds up to 70 km/h. Much attention was paid to the safety of the systems and researchers succeeded in controlling the magnetic field that is created when charging wirelessly.

An inductive system for the wireless charging of electric vehicles consists of 2 parts. One part is located at the bottom of the vehicle. The other part is located in the road surface or in the floor of a charging point. When the two parts are positioned above each other, the vehicle is charged.wirelessly.  Systems for wireless charging were integrated in a car and a bus and also in a charging station at Flanders' DRIVE and in the road surface of a section of the N769 in Lommel (Belgium) that was used as test track.

In the research, a system was used charging an electric car within 7 hours, which is suited for charging at home or at work. A system which charges the car in one hour was tested as well. Charging the car is done automatically and can start as soon as the driver has parked his car on a charging location.

The study also looked into the wireless charging of both stationary and moving buses. Both applications work equally well, with a concrete as well as asphalt road surface. Obviously, charging while driving does require special attention to the positioning of the bus on the road.

Flemish Minister for Innovation Ingrid Lieten, is convinced that these new results making it possible to charge electric vehicles through a simple, wireless system will represent a great step towards further social acceptance of electric vehicles.

Further information: http://www.flandersdrive.be/en/about-us/press/25062013-flanders%E2%80%99-drive-research-proves-it-wireless-charging-electric-vehicles