Wireless charging systems are typically used for local fleets or fixed route operations, like buses, as the vehicles must be compatible with a specific system. Ideanomics will build multiple WAVE stalls, ranging from 125 kW to 500 kW, for the Port of Los Angeles project, which received an $8.4 million grant from the US Department of Energy. The 500 kW version of the WAVE charger was successfully tested in September and is set to enter service next year.
According to a press release, a Class 8 electric truck with a relatively small battery pack (125 kWh) can be fully recharged in under 15 minutes with such a powerful system. One of the main benefits of wireless charging is the ability to quickly charge a vehicle without the need to physically connect and disconnect a plug. If the WAVE stalls are placed strategically at loading and unloading bays, the vehicles can receive a partial charge each time they pass through.
Robin Mackie, President of Ideanomics Mobility, commented on the technology saying, "We're showing that today, right now, electric heavy-duty vehicles can operate 24/7, 'topping off' their charge while the work is happening. The benefits of this technology are crystal clear - fleet operators become more efficient by cutting out vehicle downtime otherwise spent filling up or plugging a central depot."
It is not yet known whether wireless charging will become a mainstream solution in the long term, or if it will remain a niche option for specific applications. However, it could be a vital solution for autonomous electric vehicles.
Source: InsideEVs