Charging electric vehicles while driving: Stellantis shows the potential of DWPT

AMSTERDAM – After months of testing on the “Arena del Futuro” test circuit, Stellantis (Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Fiat, Jeep, Opel, Peugeot and others) along with its project partners in Chiari, Italy, have the capability of DWPT technology (explains Dynamic Wireless Energy Transfer) Wireless charging of electric vehicles while driving on specially designed lanes.

DWPT is a system of coils placed under an airport runway that transfers power directly to cars, trucks and buses without having to stop at charging stations to recharge their batteries. This technology can be adapted to all vehicles equipped with a special receiver that transmits the power received from the road infrastructure directly to the electric motor, thereby increasing the range while preserving the car battery.

Driving without energy stored from the battery
Work at the Arena del Futuro shows that the Fiat New 500 electric vehicle equipped to test the system can drive at typical highway speeds without consuming energy stored in the battery. Tests also show that the efficiency of the energy flow from asphalt to the vehicle is comparable to that of typical fast charging stations, so that the driver does not have to stop charging. Magnetic field strength measurements also show that there are no effects on drivers and passengers.

DWPT is a technology that aims to simplify customer access to electric mobility and ultimately provide a tangible answer to the demands of decarbonization and environmental sustainability in the mobility sector. Time magazine ranked the inductive charging system for the street behind the “Arena del Futuro” as one of the 100 most important inventions of 2021.

global concern
The technology attracts worldwide interest in commercial development due to its versatility in its dynamic and static inductive versions. It is not only suitable for roads and highways, but also with other infrastructures such as ports, airports and parking lots.

“By working with this incredible group of partners, we have demonstrated that inductive charging technology can support our electric future. These joint ventures are exciting steps toward longer battery life, reduced range anxiety, higher energy efficiency, smaller battery size, superior performance, weight and cost. Less,” said Ann-Lise Richard, Head of the Global E-Mobility Business Unit at Stellants. After successful tests. (Stellants/MC)