Wireless EV charging in Australia to soon become a reality
Wireless EV charging in Australia is poised to revolutionize the electric vehicle landscape, offering a convenient and efficient charging solution.
As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to soar, the demand for accessible, rapid, and secure charging solutions is on the rise, aiming to address the limitations of current charging infrastructure.
In this evolving landscape, countries worldwide are actively exploring innovative charging solutions, with a particular focus on wireless charging technology.
Acknowledging the substantial potential of wireless EV charging technology, the Australian Government has infused a $3 million investment in a project by the Swinburne University of Technology.
The project aims to integrate embedded dynamic wireless charging technology into roads, thereby facilitating the adoption of electric heavy vehicles.
If the implementation of wireless EV charging in Australia proves successful, it will profoundly transform the nation’s electric vehicle sector.
This project will especially benefit the commercial vehicle industry particularly while carrying weighty loads or traveling long distances.
Envision this scenario: commercial vehicles like trucks and buses charge automatically just as they cruise along the highway.
Indeed, the potential impact is profound!
Swinburne’s Breakthrough in Wireless EV charging in Australia
The project is the result of years of research conducted by Swinburne’s New Energy Technologies Research Group.
Collaborating with this group are two Chief Investigators –
- Saad Mekhilef, Distinguished Professor, Electrical Renewable Energy
- Alex Stojcevski, Dean of the School of Science, Computing, and Engineering Technologies.
Leader of the project and New Energy Technology Research Group Professor Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian emphasizes the significance of integrating dynamic wireless charging systems into our road infrastructure, foreseeing a transformative impact on the heavy vehicle industry.
“This collaborative effort is a perfect example of our shared vision for a sustainable transportation ecosystem that can significantly reduce our environmental footprint.”
The Project is Funded by CRC-P
The development of an $8.2 million prototype aimed at integrating cutting-edge wireless charging infrastructure onto regional roads has been generously funded by the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants scheme, which supports short-term collaborative research initiatives.
This ambitious project is the result of a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders such as ACE Infrastructure, SEA Electric, Fleet Plant Hire, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Siemens, ARRB Group, and Net Zero Stack.
Understanding Wireless EV Charging Technology
Wireless EV charging technology, also known as inductive charging or wireless power transfer, enables electric vehicles (EVs) to charge their batteries without the need for a physical connection to a charging station.
Instead of plugging in a cable, wireless charging uses electromagnetic fields to transfer energy between a charging pad or plate on the ground and a receiver coil mounted on the underside of the vehicle.
This technology offers convenience and ease of use for EV owners by eliminating the need to handle charging cables and providing a seamless charging experience.
