In an important boost to inductive wireless charging technology for commercial fleets and autonomous taxi systems, Business Region Gothenburg, InductEV, and Svenska Mässan Gothia Towers announced the addition of a new wireless EV charging station outside The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre and Gothia Towers.
The news from the annual EVS38 conference follows a successful three-year trial – the Wireless Charging project – during which a fleet of 20 electric Volvo XC40 taxis was charged wirelessly via two charging stations with four in-ground chargers delivering up to 75 kW each at Lindholmen Science Park and Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
The wireless charging stations are about to be permanent, with the addition of a third charging station powering these electric Volvo XC40 vehicles (two at a time up to 75 kW each) at Gothia Towers. Furthermore, InductEV, which pioneered the technology, will take over the operations of the City of Gothenburg’s three wireless charging stations, as its first “charging-as-a-service” offering.
The Wireless Charging project is part of the Gothenburg Green City Zone initiative, both coordinated by Business Region Göteborg. Over the initial three years, all expectations were exceeded, and the number of charging stations in the project will now expand. Data points to date include:
- 10,000 charging events with 100% uptime
- 140 MWh of energy transferred
- 5 million km traveled, equivalent to 100 laps around the world
- Drivers found the technology convenient and easy to use with complete hands-free operation
- Inductive charging preferred by the drivers especially at major travel centres (train station, airport, hotels) and city destinations (healthcare facilities, amusement and visitors’ areas business districts and fair areas)
- Flawless energy delivery in rainy, snowy, hot, cold, dirty, and icy conditions
“Gothenburg is not just a city – it’s a hotspot for innovation and frontrunner in sustainability,” said Patrik Andersson, CEO, Business Region Göteborg. “We have found wireless charging to be attractive for taxi fleets and other transporters at key locations within the city, with great potential of supporting our city’s climate targets of lowering the emission from the traffic system. We are happy to foster further collaboration, and glad that an absolute majority of the project’s drivers are keen to continue using this innovative solution.”
InductEV’s wireless charging technology eliminates the need for physical connectors and cables, reducing maintenance costs, improving reliability, and enabling opportunity charging throughout transit routes or at depot locations enabling unlimited range with an unbreakable solution with no moving parts. In this case, no apps, tags or credit cards are needed for payment.
“We look forward to continuing the successful track record of wireless charging technology in the City of Gothenburg alongside Business Region Gothenburg and Svenska Mässan Gothia Towers,” said John F Rizzo, President and CEO of InductEV. “We also intend to expand the use of this important technology and assume operational control of the city’s wireless charging stations. Finally, we are proud of the three-year partnership we had with Volvo Cars and the City of Gothenburg to drive this bold and innovative project.”
“We’re glad to join this innovative project – a hands-on example of how sustainable development moves forward when local and international partners work together,” said Joachim Hult, COO, Real Estate, Logistics & Production, Project Management and Venue Development at Svenska Mässan Gothia Towers. “Through our role in the Gothenburg Green City Zone, we want to contribute to more sustainable transport in the city. Making space for this new wireless charging station and powering it with renewable electricity is a natural fit with that ambition.”
About Gothenburg Green City Zone
In the Gothenburg Green City Zone initiative, they test new technologies and collaborate to develop and scale up system solutions aimed at ensuring 100% emission-free traffic by 2030. Gothenburg Green City Zone is an initiative by the City of Gothenburg, implemented through Business Region Göteborg, Volvo Cars and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden.
Wireless Charging project partners
Business Region Göteborg, Cabonline, Göteborg Energi, InductEV, Vattenfall InCharge and Volvo Cars.
