The UK could soon see a revolution in electric-vehicle charging after the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that £3.4 million will be invested in trials for the wireless charging of electric taxis in Nottingham.
Wireless charging (using electromagnetic induction) at taxi ranks could provide an alternative to plugs and charge points, allowing multiple taxis to recharge at once while also reducing ‘clutter on our streets’; and as greater numbers of people make the switch to electric cars, this new technology could also be rolled out more broadly for public use.
Electrifying taxi fleets in congested city areas can play a crucial role in reducing transport emissions, but the time taken to charge could reduce a taxi driver’s earning potential.
Installing wireless chargers at taxi ranks offers drivers the chance to recharge while waiting for their next passengers.
The technology, allowing for shorter and more-frequent bursts of charging, would also benefit cars with smaller batteries and mitigate ‘range anxiety’.
Mr Shapps said: “Taxi drivers up and down the country are at the vanguard of the electric-vehicle revolution, playing a leading role in reducing air pollution in our city centres.
"New wireless technology will make using an electric taxi quicker and more convenient, allowing drivers to charge up at taxi ranks before heading off with their next passenger.”
Ten Nissan and LEVC electric taxis in Nottingham will be fitted with wireless-charging hardware for six months to trial charging at taxi ranks.
The project is a collaboration between organisations including Cenex, Sprint Power, Shell, Nottingham City Council, Parking Energy, Transport for London and Coventry University.
Nottingham City Council will own the vehicles and provide them to drivers rent-free.
If successful, this technology could be rolled out more broadly for public use, helping every-day drivers of electric vehicles to charge more easily ‘on the go’.