The world’s first commercial wireless charging terminal is in operation.
The world’s first commercial wireless charging terminal is in operation.
Israeli company Electreon has completed the construction of the first commercial wireless charging terminal. It already serves Electra Afikim, a public transport operator in Rosh HaAyin.
The Israeli city Rosh HaAyin, located in the country’s central district, has hosted the world’s first commercial wireless charging terminal since December. It has been possible thanks to Electron, a technology company closely involved in developing wireless charging for electric vehicles.
This achievement marks a milestone in wireless charging, which has yet to take off as a real charging option for electric vehicles due to difficulties such as the significant loss of energy during the process.
However, Electreon has completed the construction of the said terminal, which Electra Afikim is using for its electric public transport buses, which operate in Petah Tikva and Rosh HaAyin.
A project of 1.45 million euros
Electreon has led the terminal project from start to finish, taking care of the electrical infrastructure, the necessary approvals, and civil engineering works. In addition, it has incorporated an advanced software platform to remotely manage wireless vehicle charging in the terminal.
The company has partnered with leading international bus manufacturers such as Electra Afikim, HIGER, Ankai, and Sunwin, who have integrated Electreon receivers into their electric buses. The project, valued at approximately €1.45 million by 2023, includes payments for software services, operations, and maintenance.
Electra Afikim is one of the leading public transport operators in Israel. It manages 500 bus lines, covering 40 million miles annually and transporting 51 million passengers.
What is wireless charging, and why has it yet to spread?
Imagine parking your electric car, and it automatically starts charging without having to plug it in. As? Using wireless charging technology.
Instead of connecting a cable to your car, wireless charging uses a type of ‘pad on the floor of the charging station and another on the bottom of your vehicle. These pads are equipped with technology that allows electricity to be transferred safely and efficiently. When you park in the place, your car receives the charge automatically, eliminating the need for plugging and unplugging.
It’s as if your car is connected to an invisible power source. This technology is convenient and helps make the experience of charging your electric car much simpler and more wireless.
The limited adoption of wireless charging for electric cars is due to several challenges that still need to be overcome.
Firstly, wireless charging efficiency is lower than wired charging, which may result in longer charging times. Furthermore, implementation costs are high for both charging stations and vehicles.
The lack of universal standards and incompatibility between systems also hinder widespread adoption. Furthermore, limitations in power transfer and insufficient development of wireless charging infrastructure have also contributed to its limited reach so far.
Despite these challenges, technology continues to be the subject of research and development to overcome these barriers, as Electreon demonstrates.
Source – Electreon
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