FASTINCHARGE, due for completion in 2015, is examining both stationary recharging and the possibility of recharging en route. Researchers have completed the design of the new charging station, with key features including simplicity of use, easy maintenance, accessibility and clear visual indications on how to position the car.

The new wireless station is also equipped to exchange charging data (user ID, supplier ID, duration of charge and energy meter information) with the vehicle, and provide communication and guidance throughout the charging process.

“The actual physical interaction between the user and the station is limited, as this will be controlled by a tablet located in the car,” explains project coordinator Alexis Vanoost from Douaisienne de Basse Tension, France. “A new application is being developed for this tablet, which will keep EV drivers aware of available charging stations and ensure that stations and vehicles can communicate.”

The project is also investigating en route wireless charging technologies, which have the potential to significantly increase vehicle range and reduce the size of on-board energy storage systems.

The team is currently working to improve the efficiency of inductive power transfer modules (IPTM), which will enable electric cars to conveniently recharge while parked with a wireless connection. Wireless recharging can also occur when an electric vehicle drives between arranged inductive panels situated strategically along the road, and keeping it on the road for longer.

The project team is running a series of demonstration tests of the panels in the northern French city of Douai from October 2014 until October 2015. The researchers will assess the efficiency and viability of wireless charging, the benefits to EV users and the impact on the electric grid.

One of the potential benefits of this innovation is it would be quite straightforward to increase the number of inductive panels in a location as the number of EVs increase, thus making it more convenient to drive one in an urban environment.

Smarter, more integrated cities

While electric cars, which use carbon-free energy sources and emit no CO2 or other pollutants, can help Europe achieve its ambitious emission reduction targets, EV commercialisation has been limited to date.

In part, this is because EVs are not fully integrated into urban transport infrastructure. Potential users are often put off at the thought of finding themselves without power, kilometres from the nearest recharging point. Electric vehicles must be an attractive transport proposition, and this is what FASTINCHARGE hopes to address.

The project’s test results of the inductive panels will be used to provide an overall estimation of the practicalities of more fully integrating EV infrastructure within urban transport plans, says Vanoost.

“We believe that research should focus on the development of smart infrastructures and innovative solutions that will permit full EV integration within urban road systems, while encouraging customer acceptance,” says Vanoost. “In the short term our results are not intended to be commercialised, but we hope that our success will boost research in the direction of inductive charging, and enable our partners to develop skills and products in the electric vehicle sector.”

Update June 2015: FastinCharge : la recharge à induction par DBT inaugurée à Douai