The US transport agency Link Transit from Wenatchee, Washington, is wirelessly charging electric buses using inductive charging systems from Momentum Dynamics. After three years in daily use the authority is drawing a satisfactory balance, in particular when it comes to operating cost.
Momentum Dynamics has announced a wireless system that offers the possibility of both high (50-75 kW) and low (7-22 kW) power charging thanks to a “dual power” mode. The company sees this as nothing less than “a major breakthrough with enormous implications for the EV industry”.
Volvo Cars is working with partners to test wireless charging of electric cars: In Gothenburg, a small fleet of Volvo XC40 Recharge cabs equipped with an inductive charging solution from Momentum Dynamics is now on the road.
The US developer Momentum Dynamics, which specialises in inductive charging systems for electric vehicles, is expanding its focus to the passenger car sector. So far, the company has concentrated mainly on wireless charging for electric buses and trucks. In addition, the company also plans to expand geographically.
The Kansas City Aviation Authority is investing in an inductive charging system for electric buses at Kansas City International Airport. Momentum Dynamics will provide the charging solution to charge the buses when the new terminal opens in early 2023.
In California, Momentum Dynamics and Solano Transportation Authority (STA) plan to deploy 300kW automatic wireless fast-charging infrastructure along a bus transit corridor.
In the US state of Washington, Momentum Dynamics has installed three additional inductive charging systems for the Link Transit authority electric bus fleet in Wenatchee. Charging capacities of up to 300 kW mean that electric buses can be charged wirelessly within a few minutes.
The e-mobility industry is keeping the courts busy. In the US, WiTricity has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Momentum Dynamics. The wireless charging specialist seeks compensation and a halt of sales. MIT is the co-plaintiff.
The EnergiCity project has started the test phase for the contactless charging of electric cabs. In the Norwegian capital Oslo, 25 Jaguar I-Pace will in future be inductively charged in taxi use. The charging capacity is to exceed far that of standard AC charging.
In the USA, Momentum Dynamics is supplying its 300-kilowatt wireless charging systems for ten new battery-electric buses BYD has delivered to Link Transit in Wenatchee, Washington.
The US charging system developer Momentum Dynamics, which specializes in wireless charging for electric vehicles, is cooperating with the North American vehicle manufacturer GreenPower Motor. They aim to integrate Momentum Dynamics’ inductive charging technology into GreenPower’s EV Star shuttle bus and to distribute it in the USA, Canada and Europe.
Energy supplier Fortum and U.S. American specialist Momentum Dynamics are to set up a wireless fast-charging infrastructure for taxis in Oslo. By 2023 all taxis in the Norwegian capital must be electrically powered.
The Swedes’ financial arm, the Volvo Group Venture Capital AB, say they made an investment in Momentum Dynamics and their high power inductive charging technology. The start-up of Philadelphia is working towards 200+kW to charge heavier electric vehicles with no connection needed.
The inductive charging system specialist Momentum Dynamics from the USA has installed their first wireless charging system for electric buses with a charging capacity of a whooping 200 kW. It will be used for the Link Transit company in Wenatchee, Washington.
Better charge: Momentum Dynamics intends to deliver a 200 kW wireless charging system for municipal buses this year. They previously provided 25 and 50 kW systems and drastically increased output to meet demand. Two systems are set to be delivered this year in Maryland and Washington state, USA. greencarcongress.com
Lightweight tech: Material experts Outokumpu and scientists from the German Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT are working on stainless steel lightweight solutions for electric vehicles. The latest innovation is an EV battery pack that combines various lightweight technologies and new cooling and structural strategies. globalnewswire.com
Engineers wanted: Hyperloop Technologies plans to triple its number of engineers by the end of next year, from 140 to 420. The company is focused on passenger travel capsules that can travel as fast as 700 mph in pressurized air tunnels. “This is real. This is happening,” said co-founder Brogan BamBrogan. autoblog.com (with video)
Excavating savings: Komatsu Europe has introduced a new 36-ton hydraulic hybrid excavator. The hybrid saves 20 percent of fuel compared to standard PC360LC-11. Though it sports the same engine as the PC360LC-11, it can be supplied with up to 53 kW of extra electric power from the hybrid system. greencarcongress.com
Momentum Dynamics lives up to its name, saying it feels a push from established carmakers towards wireless charging. The technology of the Philadelphia start-up is already at 91% efficiency with prototype projects in multiple industries. Momentum Dynamics’ prototype home system has up to 10 kW, but the company aims at 25 kW in current trials. hybridcars.com
Formula Student Electric winners: Dutch TU Delft has been named the overall winner of the design- and race competition in the electric car class. AMZ Racing Team from ETH Zurich came in second, followed by Uni Stuttgart’s GreenTeam. About 700 teams compete in the Formula Student each year. nltimes.nl, formulastudent.de
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Better than silicon: MIT Spinoff Cambridge Electronics is developing gallium nitride transistors and power electronic circuits. The GaN devices are believed to potentially decrease energy consumption of data centres and electric vehicles by 10 – 20% by 2025. mitei.mit.edu
Hybrids above sticker value: Researchers from the University of Vermont found that under real-life conditions, hybrid vehicles prove to be more fuel efficient than EPA ratings suggest. Fuel savings on highways are up to 18% higher, and in cities, real fuel consumption undercut that in the lab by 33%. greencarcongress.com
Conductive lubricants: The Bosch-led project “SchmiRmaL,” is working on innovative lubricants for ball bearings in electric motors. The addition of ionized liquids, researchers say, could reduce friction some ten million times. Enough to counter unwanted discharging of electricity. greencarcongress.com
Researching ceramic separator: Swiss battery-maker Leclanché and French company Saint-Gobain want to develop a new ceramic separator for lithium-ion cells. If successful, Leclanché will use it in its stationary product range; Saint-Gobain will be in charge of marketing. wallstreet-online.de
Tesla with new peak power: The Lithuanian engineering company Drive EO will compete in this year’s Pikes Peak using an electric racer based on the Tesla Roadster. It features a 360 kW modified drivetrain and 40 kWh battery pack. gas2.org, technologicvehicles.com, youtube.com (Video)
New inductive player? Momentum Dynamics is working on an inductive charging system for EVs that, in terms of price, could compete with plug-in systems. According to the company, it currently delivers as much as 50 kW at a 90% efficiency rate. hybridcars.com