Inductive charging project launched in Germany by Strabag
When vehicles equipped with remote charging receivers drove over the test site, Strabag said a wireless electric connection was received
In a bid to boost awareness about e-mobility, Austria-based Strabag has said it has installed in-road inductive charging technology in Bad Hersefled, Germany. The firm said it worked with wireless charging company Electreon to deliver the project.
As part of the testing, the team installed 23 copper coils into the road, which were wired together and connected to a power source adjacent the roadway. When vehicles equipped with remote charging receivers drove over the test site, Strabag said a wireless electric connection was received. The coils also supply charges to equipped vehicles that are not moving, meaning the application could be used for motorways or parking depots.
According to a report, the project was funded by the German state of Hesse, with Strabag noting that the partnership “realised a first roadway with a technology that charges electric vehicles contactlessly”.
“The innovative process offers opportunities, above all, for closed cycles, such as bus or taxi lanes in public transport. Charging can be done either dynamically while driving or statically, for example when parking, The coils could also be used on the motorway and support e-trucks, for example, on steep inclines,” said a Strabag representative.
To install, the test track was milled and then set with the copper coils, which are equipped with electric transmitters. Once the coils were wired together and sourced to power, they were then covered with asphalt. Further testing and fine-tuning of the technology will be required, said Strabag, including upgrades to the coil system.
Electreon also stated that it was developing coils with a higher charging capability.
Dr Andreas Wendt, Managing Director of Electreon Germany remarked, “We will push ahead with further projects that show how powerful this technology is. With their help, we can reduce the size and weight of the batteries – for more sustainable mobility.”
