Qualcomm Technologies has demonstrated an invention at a test track in France which allows vehicles to dynamically charge whilst driving.
The dynamic electric vehicle charging (DEVC), based on the Qualcomm Halo wireless electric vehicle charging technology (WEVC), is capable of charging an electric vehicle dynamically at up to 20 kilowatts at highway speeds.
Qualcomm Technologies also demonstrated simultaneous charging, in which two vehicles on the same track can charge dynamically at the same time. The vehicles can pick up charge in both directions along the track, and in reverse.
The dynamic charging demonstrations took place on the FABRIC test track at Satory Versailles near Paris with VEDECOM and Renault integrating the receiving part onto two Renault Kangoo vehicles. Following the demonstration, the Qualcomm Halo DEVC system will be handed over to VEDECOM to perform further tests to evaluate the operation, safety and efficiency of energy transfer to the vehicles for a wide range of practical scenarios including vehicle identification and authorization on entering track, power level agreement between track and vehicle, speed and alignment of vehicle along track.
FABRIC is a '9 million project, mostly funded by the European Commission, addressing the technological feasibility, economic viability, and socio-environmental sustainability of wireless DEVC. The project began in January 2014 and will continue through to December, and is being undertaken by a consortium of 25 organisations from nine European countries, including automotive manufacturers, suppliers, service providers and research organisations from automotive, road and energy infrastructure domains. VEDECOM is one of the FABRIC collaborators and responsible for providing the demonstration of the charging solution at Satory using the Qualcomm Halo DEVC system. FABRIC's main goal is to conduct feasibility analysis of wireless DEVC as a means of EV range extension.
'Our engineers and management have fully supported this project since the very beginning as it aligns perfectly with our focus on EVs, charging systems and mobility services,' says Luc Marbach, chief executive officer, VEDECOM. 'We are a public-private partnership focused on pre-competitive research. The installation of one of the world's first DEVC test platforms has provided us with a unique test facility and we look forward to expanding our expertise with the future testing.'
'Being part of this exciting project has enabled us to test and further research dynamic charging on our Kangoo Z.E. vehicles,' said Eric Feunteun, electric vehicle program director, Groupe Renault. 'Our engineers have worked very closely with the Qualcomm Technologies and VEDECOM teams to complete the DEVC system integration demonstration as part of FABRIC. We see dynamic charging as a great vision to further enhance the ease of use of EVs, thus the accessibility of EVs for all.'
'We are inventors. We are WEVC. This dynamic charging demonstration is the embodiment of this,' said Steve Pazol, vice president and general manager, wireless charging, Qualcomm Incorporated. 'I am immensely proud of what we have achieved. The combination of a global team of expert engineers and Qualcomm Halo technology, which covers all aspects of WEVC systems, irrespective of the magnetics used, has enabled us to really push the boundaries of the possible and outline our vision for future urban mobility.'
