La induction charging for electric cars come true. Not long now, but the "Arena of the future" project, developed along the Brebemi A35 motorway, is ready for marketing: a circuit of about 1 km where electric vehicles can charge their batteries while driving, thanks to a dynamic induction wireless charging integrated to the road surface. “The European Parliament has provided dates. That's the way. Let's do it. Here 13-14 companies, with academy and partners, have found one solution for decarbonization. And we are ready to commercialize this project. We had thought that the pantograph was a valid option, but we changed our minds and embraced another path", said the president of A35 Brebemi, Francesco Bettoni.
This technology allows electric vehicles to recharge while traveling on dedicated lanes, thanks to an innovative system of coils positioned under the asphalt which directly transfer the necessary energy to the vehicles (cars, trucks, buses). A "zero emissions" mobility system, which includes different elements studied by the industrial excellences involved to interact with each other, such as asphalt, control units, cables, electric vehicles and 5G connectivity.
The Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer has a construction cost of 1,2 million euros a km, but varies in relation to the power to be supplied to the electric coils which are drowned just below the asphalt.
In the loop of the Lombardy motorway, the electric Fiat 500 absorbs 27 kW at 50 km/h, a bus can even reach 80 kW. This means that charging on the go already has more power than an AC charging station.
The advantages of induction charging for electric cars
Among the many advantages of induction charging technology, research is highlighting: a greater energy efficiency of the vehicle thanks to recharging while traveling, a reduction in the volume of the batteries in vehicles without impacting the load capacity of goods and people, an increase in the average life of the battery itself thanks to the fact that recharge peaks would be avoided because it would be fed at intervals during the day. Once fully operational, the system will be able to help improve the quality of the user's journey, thanks to a reduction of stop times for recharging linked to the optimal combination of different recharging systems. All these objectives can also be achieved thanks to the innovative technologies offered by 5G and application solutions based onArtificial intelligence, which will facilitate the exchange of information between the vehicle and management platforms, increasing road safety and travel efficiency.
The project partners
The Italian pilot project, coordinated by A35 Brebemi and Aleatica, a global transport infrastructure operator, counts on cooperation with Abb, Electreon, Iveco, Iveco Bus, Mapei, Pizzarotti, Politecnico di Milano, Prysmian, Stellantis, Tim, Fiamm Energy Technology, Roma Tre University, University of Parma, Fire Brigade and Ministry of the Interior - Traffic Police. “Arena del Futuro” is confirmed as an excellent example of collaborative innovation for the “zero emission” mobility of people and goods.
