The new system developed by an American company is installed under the roadway and can fully charge heavy-duty electric trucks in just 15 minutes.
The American company WAVE Charging has developed a 500 kW ultra-fast wireless charging system, representing a significant advancement in electric vehicle charging technology, as reported by Interesting Engineering on January 17. This new system, developed in collaboration with Cummins and the U.S. Department of Energy, has the potential to revolutionize the electric vehicle industry by significantly reducing charging times.
Wireless electric vehicle charging system installed under the roadway. (Photo: WAVE Charging).
In a series of successful tests, the 500 kW charging system has demonstrated its capability to fast-charge a heavy-duty electric truck in less than 15 minutes. A typical household in the U.S. consumes about 30 kWh of electricity per day. Thus, the 500 kW charging system can provide a day’s worth of energy for a home in just 3.6 minutes.
WAVE Charging plans to deploy the 500 kW wireless charging system at a Venture Logistics facility in the Midwest. This deployment has received $8.4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2024.
This initiative is part of a larger project aimed at achieving net-zero emissions while minimizing disruption to operations. The project will help improve air quality in and around ports, warehouses, and distribution centers. Notably, it addresses challenges posed by cold climates, eliminating the need for bulky high-power charging cables in freezing and icy conditions.
The new wireless charging system installed in the roadway efficiently charges trucks during scheduled stops, eliminating downtime associated with refueling. Since there are no moving parts, the system mounted on the road requires minimal maintenance and is always ready for use. Additionally, the flat design of the system on the roadway reduces the risk of collisions and eliminates tripping hazards from cables.
Wireless charging is an ideal solution for fleet operators on fixed routes, providing fast and fully automated charging at scheduled stops. This new technology enhances operational efficiency, allowing vehicles to use smaller batteries and fewer chargers, thereby reducing weight and costs.
