University of Auckland develops EV in-road charging

Researchers at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, are developing new technology for in-road charging of electric vehicles (EVs). The project, which uses inductive power transfer technology, has recently received US$8.7 million ((NZ$12 million) government funding for the development of in-road pads which would charge EVs driving or parking over them.
September 22, 2017 Read time: 1 min

Researchers at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, are developing new technology for in-road charging of electric vehicles (EVs). The project, which uses inductive power transfer technology, has recently received US$8.7 million ((NZ$12 million) government funding for the development of in-road pads which would charge EVs driving or parking over them.

The New Zealand government aims to have 64,000 EVs on the country’s roads by 2021, including one third of government vehicles. However, extending the range of electric vehicles is critical to their success but many of the challenges of plug-in cars have proved difficult to solve.

The five-year project builds on technology developed by Professors John Boys and Grant Covic and will tackle requirements such as developing long-lasting charging materials that can survive being driven on and do not degrade road performance.

Related Content

  • US eyes European model for Illinois toll road upgrade
    May 30, 2014
    David Crawford welcomes the adoption of European-style ITS technology by the US. The Jane Addams Memorial Tollway in Illinois, US is well on the way towards becoming a ‘smart traffic corridor’, taking full advantage of active traffic management (ATM or ‘managed lanes’) technology that originated in Europe. It is one of the first American toll roads to do so; preliminary work began in 2014 and will continue through to 2016. Jane Addams is one of four toll roads operated by the publicly-owned Illinois State T
    Read More
  • Hurunui implement EV charging stations for Culverden Service Hub
    March 7, 2018
    New Zealand's Hurunui District Council (HDC) in partnership with Chargenet and Mainpower has implemented an electric vehicle (EV) charging station as part of the near completed Culverden Service Hub. The facility is expected to provide a resource for the community and ensure that visitors are provided with up to date services. The hub is funded by grants obtained from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s regional mid-sized tourism fund. ChargeNet’s new station in the Countdown Amberley
    Read More
  • Weathering the elements: how weather affects the network
    July 29, 2013
    Weather-related problems can render cost-cutting counter productive, according to CommScope’s Philip Sorrells. When severe weather conditions make headlines every winter, motorists and travellers seem willing to accept the impact on the trains and roads and yet take for granted that the communications networks will continue uninterrupted. They often appear far more upset that the information system does not give them an update on road conditions, train services or bus arrival times than they are about the a
    Read More
  • Vendor's eye view of US economic stimulus programme
    March 12, 2012
    Pete Goldin explores the impact of the US economic stimulus programme on the ITS industry from the ITS vendor perspective
    Read More

Highlighted Content