Ricardo to integrate wireless charging system for Electra Solo EV

Canadian-based Electra Meccanica (EM) has selected Ricardo to integrate a wireless electric vehicle charging system from Qualcomm into a planned autonomous version of its one-seater Solo electric vehicle (EV). The project aims to enable self-driving vehicles to be an option for future mobility services. Qualcomm's Halo system uses resonant magnetic induction to transfer energy wirelessly from a ground-based pad to one integrated within the vehicle. It is then used to recharge the battery while aiming
February 19, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Canadian-based Electra Meccanica (EM) has selected 5606 Ricardo to integrate a wireless electric vehicle charging system from 213 Qualcomm into a planned autonomous version of its one-seater Solo electric vehicle (EV). The project aims to enable self-driving vehicles to be an option for future mobility services.


Qualcomm's Halo system uses resonant magnetic induction to transfer energy wirelessly from a ground-based pad to one integrated within the vehicle. It is then used to recharge the battery while aiming to remove the need for user interaction with infrastructure or cables.

Halo features a high misalignment tolerance, allowing it to support high and low road clearance vehicles such as sports utility vehicles and roadsters, with the pad installed either on the road, flush mounted or buried beneath the surface. In addition, the proper alignment of the charging pads is indicated through a positioning system, which is said to remove the need for precise parking.

EM is currently developing its Solo EV. The highway capable commuter car will come with three wheels and a 100-mile range via its 7.3 kWh Li-ion battery pack.

Paul Rivera, Ricardo's president, said: “Ricardo is pleased to have been asked to assist Electra Meccanica with the integration of the Qualcomm Halo wireless EV charging system on the Solo vehicle. Wireless charging of electric vehicles brings considerable benefits in terms of user convenience, avoiding the need to use cables or plug-in to recharge. We wish Electra Meccanica every success with the Solo vehicle and its new wireless charging capability.”

Related Content

  • Cost Benefit: There’s still life in the RSU
    May 24, 2021
    A mixture of mobile and static roadside units may be what’s required to fulfil the needs of connected vehicle communications
    Read More
  • The afterlife of spent electric vehicle batteries
    April 20, 2012
    Earlier this year, General Motors signed a definitive agreement with ABB Group to identify joint research and development projects that would reuse Chevrolet Volt battery systems, which will have up to 70 per cent of life remaining after their automotive use is exhausted. Recent research conducted by GM predicts that secondary use of 33 Volt batteries will have enough storage capacity to power up to 50 homes for about four hours during a power cut.
    Read More
  • Feasibility study to look at use of dynamic wireless power transfer on UK roads
    March 13, 2015
    The UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has been commissioned by the Highways Agency to undertake a feasibility study into whether dynamic wireless power transfer (WPT) technology can be used on England’s motorways and major A roads, the Strategic Road Network, to prepare for and potentially encourage, greater EV take-up. This study is the first part in a much larger programme of research and trialling for dynamic WPT technology to be undertaken in the UK. TRL was selected to deliver the feasibility st
    Read More
  • TomTom banishes range anxiety
    March 16, 2021
    High-quality routing and weather information is going to be vital in persuading drivers that electric vehicles will not let them down, thinks TomTom’s Robin van den Berg
    Read More

Highlighted Content