Wireless charging project to take off in Coventry
In the Dynacov (“Dynamic Charging of Vehicles”) project, Coventry University is investigating the potential of using metal coils installed under the road surface to charge electric vehicles while driving. According to the project initiators, the technology could be used for buses and logistics vehicles. The project relies on technology from the specialist Electreon. The tests will focus on a section of Kenilworth Road at the junction with the A45.
The study is part of a series, coordinated by multiple universities and a “cross-party group of 27 Key Cities across England and Wales”, which are to determine “innovative ways in which universities are working with their local communities to achieve net zero targets.” It is funded by National Grid Electricity Distribution and built on dynamic wireless transfer technology prototyped by ElectReon, which has found use from the USA to China. Particularly in Europe, there has been much testing of the charging technology, such as a project in Norway, in Germany, Sweden, as well as France.
“Dynacov demonstrates the benefits of universities and local authorities sharing a common vision for the sustainable future of our cities and then having the agility to work in a collaborative and timely manner with industry stakeholders to effect positive change,” said Kevin Vincent, director of Coventry University’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Automotive Research.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, added: “Innovation will be one of the ways we tackle the causes and consequences of climate change, and innovation is something we are very good at here in Coventry, especially in the transport sector which is in our DNA. It is great to be collaborating with Coventry University and Cenex to show how roads can be used to charge vehicles as they pass by and solutions like this will enable the transition to electric vehicles to happen more quickly.”
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