Through the ‘ElectriCity’ initiative the car maker will work with Nordic taxi operator Cabonline; charge point operator Fortum Recharge; US wireless charging specialist Momentum Dynamics to build wireless, high-powered charging infrastructure for taxis in the Norwegian capital. The project has been launched as part of a drive to make all public transport in Oslo emissions free by 2028.
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Through the project Jaguar Land Rover will provide 25 Jaguar I-PACE models – equipped with wireless charging technology developed by Momentum Dynamics - to Cabonline, the largest taxi network in the Nordics.
The vehicles will be charged from multiple charging plates rated at 50-75kW each, that will be installed in the ground in series at pick-up-drop-off points. This allows each equipped taxi to charge while queuing for the next fare. The system, which uses no cables and situated below ground, requires no physical connection between charger and vehicle, engages automatically and provides on average 6-8 minutes of energy per each charge up to 50kW.
The taxi then receives multiple charges throughout the day on its return to the rank, maintaining a high battery state of charge and the ability to remain in 24/7 service without driving range restrictions.
According to JLR the project aims to develop a model that can be implemented almost anywhere, which it believes will help the rapid adoption of electric vehicles globally.
Prof Sir Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive, said: “We’re committed to making electric vehicles easier to own and use. The taxi industry is the ideal test bed for wireless charging, and indeed for high-mileage electric mobility across the board."
How Momentum Dynamics' Inductive charging system works
The vehicle side of the wireless charging system comprises a receiver pad and an electronics module. High frequency AC is converted to DC which directly charges the vehicle’s battery.
The ground side of the Wireless Charging System consists of a charging pad installed in the pavement, which is connected to an electronics cabinet. High frequency AC power is generated by the electronics cabinet and transmitted by the charging pad to the vehicle.
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