Whether its WiFi vs. ethernet or cell phones vs. land lines, it's pretty clear that wireless technology is more appealing to people than wired ones. The same will some day be true of plug-in cars, since companies like Rolls-Royce and Toyota, Nissan and Volvo are all tryi
UK-based, HaloIPT is readying its in-road wireless charging system for plug-in vehicles and has inched closer the commercial launch by signing deals with two strategic production partners. HaloIPT will partner with Chargemaster in Europe and Evida Power in Asia to rush its inductive charging technology to market within the next 18 months.
Volvo has announced that its C30 Electric will participate in an inductive charging project called Continuous Electric Drive (CED) that is being set up by Belgian technological and automotive development specialists Flanders' Drive. Volvo will deliver a single C30 Electric to Flanders' Drive on May 19th, the official start of the projec
Japanese automaker Toyota has entered into a technological collaboration agreement with Boston, MA-based WiTricity Corporation. The agreement centers on the practical application of automotive wireless charging systems for plug-in vehicles and promotion of their widespread use. Additionally, Toyota will assist WiTricity in raising capital.
At Hannover Messe 2011, the world's "foremost technology event," Siemens presented one of its projects called "Contactless Charging of Battery-Electric Vehicles." Developed in conjunction with BMW, Siemens' inductive charging system will be tested under real-world conditions by the German Environment Ministry in the city of Berlin beginning this June.
Once a small startup itself, Internet search giant Google should be able to relate to the extreme challenges that companies face when venturing into uncharted territory. With that in mind, Google turned to a little-known company called Plugless Power to install a wireless charging system at the search giant's Mountain View, CA headquarters.
With the launch of real EV's for mass market consumption comes the inevitable question: What's next? There are two big areas in which we're likely to see the engineering might of the world's automakers focus their attention for the next generation of electric-drive vehicles. The first is improving the packaging of the electric motors, while the second is improving charging.
Nissan Pivo 2 – Click above for high-res image gallery
