First electric vehicle wireless charging trial announced for London




Chip major Qualcomm announced the first
Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) trial for London.


Qualcomm is collaborating with the UK
Government, as well as the Mayor of London’s office and Transport for London
(TfL) to deliver the trial.


The pre-commercial trial is expected to
start in early 2012 and will involve as many as 50 electric vehicles
(EVs).


The trial will use Qualcomm wireless
inductive power transfer technology that enables high-efficiency power transfer
across a large air gap. The driver parks the vehicle in the usual way and the
system automatically aligns for power transfer, making parking easier and
charging hassle free.


Prime Minister David Cameron said, “This
wireless charging technology is a giant leap forward for the electric car
industry. Creative, high-tech advances such as this are extremely important as
we work to rebalance our economy, and the decision to trial this at Tech City
shows confidence in the UK as an ideal place for innovation and investment.”


This project supplements the £30 million
Government fund to kick-start installation of recharging points in eight areas
across the country.


“Qualcomm is very pleased to be
participating in the London WEVC pre-commercial trial, which builds on the
existing trials of electric vehicles sponsored by the Technology Strategy Board
and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles in the UK,” said Andrew Gilbert,
executive vice president of European Innovation Development at Qualcomm.


Addison Lee, the UK’s largest minicab
company, and Chargemaster plc, the leading European operator of advanced EV
charging infrastructure, have also agreed to participate in the WEVC London
trial.


“As a company with a keen eye on the
future, we believe that the WEVC London trial will provide unique insights into
how wirelessly charged electric vehicles could be used in our business,” said
John Griffin, chairman, Addison Lee.


A Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging
steering committee with representatives from TfL, the Mayor’s office, and
central Government will be set up to oversee the trial.


By Telecomlead.com Team

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