Though once the stuff of science fiction , induction charging has already been finding its way into consumer electronics products in recent years . Despite academic interest and much research investment by transport authorities and automotive corporations , finding a way of making it work " out in the wild " has generally been dismissed as a viable solution to the complex charging challenges that are so far holding back widespread consumer EV adoption . The principles of the concept have
been well understood for a long time , but effective implementation remains a huge challenge . It is a hugely expensive undertaking that would require comprehensive infrastructure replanning and renewal , to say nothing of the immense energy demands that all EV charging solutions share . But that isn ' t stopping some consortiums from trying to prove the concept - one such is headed by Stellantis , the 2021 rebranded Amsterdam headquartered car group formed by the merger between Fiat Chrysler and the French Peugeot Group ( PSA ). In association with an impressive lineup of partners , it has inaugurated the innovative " Arena del Futuro " (' Arena of the Future ') circuit near Brescia in northern Italy where dynamic induction charging is being field tested .
The 1,050 m long circuit is powered with an electrical output of 1 MW and , using DWPT ( Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer ), electric vehicles can be charged " wirelessly " by driving them in wired lanes over innovative technology that has been installed under the road surface . Testing the viability of such a system is now under way . To do so , the first vehicles ( a new Fiat 500 and an Iveco E-Way bus ) have been fitted out with the necessary receiving kit " and have already clocked up many kilometers , with more than encouraging results ," according to Turin based Stellantis . " DWPT receiver equipped electric vehicles can be charged ' wirelessly ' by driving them in wired lanes with an innovative system of turns installed under the tarmac . This technology can be adapted for all vehicles equipped with the special ' receiver ', which transfers the energy incoming from the road infrastructure to the battery , aiming at a ' zero-emissions ' mobility system . At the same time , the advanced connectivity over IOT ( Internet of Things ) technologies will guarantee maximum road safety , made possible by constant dialog between the freeway and the vehicles traveling along them . The road surface will also be optimized to make it more durable without altering the efficiency and effectiveness of the inductive charge ." Time magazine recently cited the " Arena del Futuro " as one of the 100 most important inventions of 2021 . The combined Stellantis group is currently the world ' s 6th largest car maker with brands ranging from Chrysler , Jeep , Dodge and RAM to Fiat , Peugeot , Citroen , Opel , Alfa Romeo , Lancia , Abarth , Vauxhall and Maserati . ' equipped EVs can be charged wirelessly '
20 AFTERMARKET MOTO DESIGN - FEBRUARY 2022