Tap, Charge, Swap: Powering an EV

Batteries are the heart of any electric vehicle and newer innovations that are pushing their boundaries can be powered for max performance

’CHARGE ON THE MOVE’ EXPERIMENT

A new wireless technology that helps an electric vehicle get charged while in motion is on trial in the United Arab Emirates.

The wireless charging unit is embedded beneath a 60-metre road stretch in the city and uses Shaped Magnetic Field in Resonance technology to charge vehicles while on the move, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said.

“The initial phase covers preparing the infrastructure and laying an embedded powercharging grid underneath a road strip for the dynamic wireless charging of electric vehicles and buses in motion,” RTA said in a statement.

Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA said the project is one of RTA’s initiatives as part of Dubai’s effectiveness to promote the use of environmentally friendly vehicles and sustainable transport means.

Officials said the technology enables seamless operation of the vehicle without having to stop at charging stations.

“It will also reduce pollution and will not block movement on the streets. They also expect the initiative to increase the number of electric vehicles in Dubai,” the statement said.

The RTA has collaborated with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Dubai Silicon Oasis for rolling out the project.

CHINA’S BATTERY-SWAPPING SYSTEM FOR EVS CAN SOLVE CHARGING WOES

China is stepping up efforts to facilitate initiatives that allow swapping electric-vehicle batteries on-the-go, seeking to further spur the adoption of EVs in the world’s biggest car market.

The government is working to establish common industry standards for the procedure, which allows drivers to pull in and quickly swap out their electric car’s battery rather than having to plug it in to recharge, a procedure that can take hours, people familiar with the matter said. The goal is to enable drivers to change batteries at any facility, no matter what car they have, they said, asking not to be identified discussing a private matter.

The efforts highlight the advantages that China, where about half of the world’s EVs are sold, has over other nations in promoting new technologies, given the government has the clout to push changes affecting entire industries. Demand for electric cars has been sputtering in China since it lowered subsidies for buyers last July, yet the country’s long-term goal is to phase out gas guzzlers.

A battery-swapping system would not only potentially save time for drivers — one of the biggest issues consumers have with EVs — it could also lower the upfront prices of buying electric vehicles. That’s because consumers would be able to purchase the car and the batteries separately, or possibly just lease the batteries. As part of its planning, the government needs to figure out how taxation should take such scenarios into account, the people said.