FEATURE ELECTRIC VEHICLES Wireless charging trialled in Nottingham
The UK could soon see a revolution in electric vehicle charging, as £3.4m is to be invested in trials for wireless charging of electric taxis in Nottingham
W
ireless charging at taxi ranks could provide an alternative to plugs and
chargepoints, meaning multiple taxis can recharge at once, supporting drivers to charge up more easily. It would also reduce clutter on the streets. As more and more people make the
switch to electric cars, this new technology could also be rolled out more broadly for public use, helping everyday drivers of electric vehicles charge more easily on the go. Electrifying taxi fleets in congested city
areas is crucial in bringing down transport emissions and cleaning up our air. However, the time taken to charge could reduce a taxi driver’s earning potential. Installing wireless chargers at taxi ranks
offers drivers the chance to recharge while waiting for their next passengers, so they can help the environment and start their journeys quicker. The technology, allowing for shorter and more frequent bursts of charging, will also benefit cars with smaller batteries, ending ‘range anxiety’ for drivers. Transport secretary, Grant Shapps, says:
“Taxi drivers up and down the country are at the vanguard of the electric vehicle
22 FEBRUARY 2020 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
revolution, playing a leading role in reducing air pollution in our city centres where people live, shop and work. New wireless technology will make using an electric taxi quicker and more convenient, allowing drivers to charge up at taxi ranks before heading off with their next passenger.” Councillor Longford, deputy leader at
Nottingham City Council said: “Nottingham is excited to host the trial of this new type of innovative charging technology, keeping us ahead of the pack, and helping to promote cleaner taxis in our city and potentially take us a further step forward towards our goal of being carbon neutral by 2028.” Ten Nissan and LEVC electric taxis in
Nottingham will be fitted with wireless charging hardware for six months to trial taxi rank-based charging. The project, a collaboration between organisations including Cenex, Sprint Power, Shell, Nottingham City Council, Parking Energy, Transport for London and Coventry University could speed up charging and help reduce congestion in city centres. Nottingham City Council will own the vehicles and provide them to drivers rent
free. If successful, this technology could also be rolled out more broadly for public use, helping every day drivers of electric vehicles charge more easily on the go. Electric taxi drivers have already
benefited from measures including the exemption of zero emission taxis from the higher rate of vehicle excise duty and £20m for 27 local authorities to install electric taxi chargepoints across England and Scotland. The government is also offering a £50m grant fund that provides drivers with up to £7,500 off the price of a new, eligible, purpose built taxi. The announcement of this trial
follows nearly £40m funding announced in July 2019 for the development of electric vehicle charging technologies that could rapidly expand the UK chargepoint network for people without off-street parking. Innovations which have already received
investment include underground charging systems that don’t require on-street structures, suitable for busy urban streets, and solar powered charging.
Nottingham City Council
nottinghamcity.gov.uk
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