Highway contractor Eurovia UK has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Momentum Dynamics Corporation, a leading provider of wireless charging for electric vehicles, meaning the two companies will collaborate to develop wireless EV charging solutions for UK cities and fleets.
The MOU heralds the beginning of a long-term partnership that will deliver a cable-free solution to the UK’s electric vehicle charging network. Wireless charging for electric vehicles allows practically invisible charging during regular operation.
The system is automatic and dispenses with the need for visually-detracting cabling. While in-service, such as during the loading of passengers, an equipped vehicle parks over charging pads that are sunk into or on the roadway. The vehicle then receives incremental charging of a few minutes or longer before resuming duties. The charging is automatic and requires no operation by the driver. Charging ends as the vehicle departs from the pad.
The Momentum Dynamics wireless system can provide energy to vehicles from 25-450 kW. The system can be used on all types of electric vehicles, from cars and buses to drayage and depot haulers and class 8 trucks/HGVs. The system is modular in design and is therefore easily scalable, works in all weathers and is unaffected by rain, ice or snow.
In 2019, the UK Government became the first major economy to enshrine net zero in law. The challenge: achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, is significant – the transport sector is currently responsible for 28% of the UK’s domestic carbon emissions. As the government’s advisory body, the Committee for Climate Change (CCC), has put it: the 2020s must be the decisive decade of progress and action on climate change. The move to ban ICE vehicles by 2030, and the huge leap in consumer demand for EVs show we are starting to make changes in the right direction. However, different use cases need different charging solutions and the aim should be to deliver the most appropriate and efficient solution for each case.
As the Department for Transport prepare to publish their Decarbonisation Plan for Transport this Spring, anything we can do to minimise carbon impacts will make a difference.
“From our work with many Highway Authorities up and down the UK, we understand the need to develop and deliver real solutions to the climate challenge. The Momentum Dynamic solution is one we think will make an immediate difference – providing wireless charging in a cost-efficient, time-efficient and visually appealing way.” said Yogesh Patel, Eurovia UK’s Process and Improvement Director.
“As we plan for the long-term adoption of electric vehicles, we need to ensure we develop infrastructure that adds value to our communities without additional clutter on our streets. We were inspired with Momentum’s work on wireless taxis with Jaguar Land Rover in Oslo and we see wireless charging as one of the solutions we need to explore to achieve net zero in the UK.” Momentum Dynamics CEO, Andrew Daga said, “The cities of the future will charge their vehicles wirelessly – whether those vehicles are driven by people or especially when driven autonomously. This means we need to plan today for that very near tomorrow. Our work with Eurovia UK will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles without adding unsightly cables to our lives and move us all toward a cleaner future.”
