During the closed test loop, the specially equipped road continuously recharged the vehicle's 18 kWh battery, allowing it to traverse the distance solely on electric power. Despite several brief stops (with 55 drivers participating in the record attempt), the Toyota RAV4 PHEV remained unplugged and solely reliant on the wireless charging technology embedded within the road. Impressively, a total of 241.69 kWh of electricity was transferred during the 100-hour drive.
The choice of a plug-in hybrid with a relatively modest battery size may seem unconventional for such a record-breaking achievement. However, the advantages of charging roads include the reduction of battery-size requirements. This means that even vehicles with shorter ranges can travel long distances on highways equipped with this innovative technology.
Electreon's collaboration with Toyota and DENSO, as announced in March, adds significance to this accomplishment. Together, they aim to develop wireless charging technology for new vehicles and create an aftermarket kit that enables older vehicles to utilize charging roads. Oren Ezer, Electreon's CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's potential, stating that it would make wireless charging accessible to diverse drivers and highlight its cost-effective, environmentally friendly benefits.
Beyond their collaboration with Toyota and DENSO, Electreon has also initiated pilot projects for their technologies in Sweden, France, and Belgium, as reported by The Times of Israel. Moreover, the company secured a €3.2 million ($3.4 million USD) deal in December 2022 to operate electric public buses in Germany.
Source: The Times of Israel