Official

Raleigh, NC becomes first US city to adopt wireless EV charging project

North Carolina's Research Triangle may be one of the most "wired" places in the US when it comes to technological advancements, but why stop there? To take the lead in electric-drive vehicle adoption, go wireless.

Raleigh, NC has become the first US municipality to join the Apollo Program, which tests wireless electric vehicle chargers made by Evatran. The Virginia-based company's Plugless Power chargers were, as of September, being tested by entities such as Google and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, in addition to Hertz, Duke Energy and the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research.

In late October, Evatran said it reached an aftermarket-charger sales and distribution agreement with SPX Service Solutions that will allow the company's wireless charging stations to be installed in the homes of owners of Nissan Leafs and Chevrolet Volts starting next April. The home stations will cost about $4,000 for the on-board receiver, garage-floor transmitter and garage installation needed for the wireless system.
Show full PR text
Raleigh Is Nation's First City to Test Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Systems

December 10th, 2012 The City of Raleigh announced today its involvement in the Apollo Program, a nationwide initiative aimed at encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles through the use of wireless charging technology. The program, launched by local startup company Evatran, has installed six prototype wireless charging systems with participants such as Google, Duke Energy, and The Hertz Corporation. The City of Raleigh is the first municipality nationwide to join the seven other participants in the second phase of the program, which kicks off early next year.

The City of Raleigh, along with the other Apollo partners, will use Plugless Power wireless charging systems on its own fleet of electric vehicles. These second generation systems, improved following the feedback from the first phase of the program, are production-intent and will be available to individual electric vehicle owners as soon as next April.

"We are excited to be the first municipality to participate in this program," Mayor Nancy McFarlane said. "This is another example of how Raleigh continues to lead the nation in sustainability issues."

With offices in the Research Triangle Park area, Evatran has been developing the wireless charging technology for high-power applications over the last three years. The City of Raleigh's commitment to the Apollo Program represents the first wireless charging stations installed in the local area. The installations, at three parking spots in municipal lots around the Raleigh, will allow a Chevy Volt and two Nissan LEAF vehicles to pull up and charge without the effort of plugging into the unit.

"This is an exciting announcement for Evatran," said Rebecca Hough, chief executive officer and co-founder of Evatran. "We've been looking forward to getting this technology into the field and there's something to be said for our local municipality stepping up to be first. The Raleigh-Durham area is one of the most electric vehicle-friendly areas in the country, and with the City's participation in the Apollo Program, it will now be a leader in the adoption of advanced electric vehicle charging technologies."

The City of Raleigh will have systems installed at the Avery C. Upchurch Government Complex and the City's Transit Operations Center. Both locations will provide charging for City-owned vehicles.

For more information on Plugless Power or the Apollo Program, visit www.pluglesspower.com. For additional information on the City of Raleigh's sustainability projects, visit the City's website at www.raleighnc.gov.

Share This Photo X