Volvo is testing wireless vehicle charging technology Car News

Volvo is testing a new wireless charging system for electric cars to assess the viability of the technology for future models.

The tests involve a fleet of Volvo XC40 Recharge cars with wireless charging capability, which are used as taxis in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo told Autocar that six cars are involved in the trial, with plans to expand over a three-year period.

To charge wirelessly, compatible cars park at a charging station built into the road surface. Charging starts automatically once the car is properly aligned, so drivers don’t need to leave the car.

Volvo claims the charging speed is over 40kW, which is almost as fast as a 50kW wired fast charger and four times faster than an 11kW wired mains charger. The firm claims that’s enough for 60 miles of range in 30 minutes.

The XC40 Recharge cars in the trial are expected to travel 100,000 km (62,137 miles) a year and be used for more than 12 hours a day.

The charging stations are provided by the American company Momentum Dynamics, a specialist in wireless charging for vehicles. The company has already produced a system capable of recharging a bus and has already used a fleet of 25 adapted Jaguar I-Pace models to test the technology in Oslo, Norway.

Volvo told Autocar it is evaluating the potential of wireless charging technology for future electric cars. Although it is also exploring other charging technologies, Volvo described wireless charging as “exciting”.

Gothenburg, home of Volvo’s headquarters, is currently running a number of sustainable technology research and development projects. The city uses dedicated testing areas, known as the Gothenburg Green Zone.

“Gothenburg Green City Zone allows us to try out exciting new technologies in a real environment and evaluate them over time for potential wider future introduction,” said Mats Moberg, Head of Research and Development at Volvo. “Testing new charging technologies with selected partners is a good way to assess alternative charging options for our future cars.”