Renault has demonstrated wireless electric vehicle charging that allows a vehicle to be charged while driving on the road.

RENAULT HAS partnered with technology companies Qualcomm Technologies and Vedecom in designing a wireless electric charging system that’s “capable of charging an electric vehicle dynamically with a charge of up to 20 kilowatts at speeds up to, and in excess of, 100kmh”.

The system has only been implemented on a test track with two Renault Kangoo Z.E. vehicles demonstrating that it works in both directions, but the system is, allegedly, real-world ready. The charging system requires extra componentry to be fitted to the electric vehicles.

The charging demonstrations took place on a 100-metre test track, built by Vedecom at Satory, Versailles, near Paris, within the FABRIC project.

“The tests will evaluate the operation and efficiency of energy transfer to the vehicles for a wide range of practical scenarios including vehicle identification and authorization on entering track, power level agreement between track and vehicle, speed and alignment of vehicle along track,” Renault said. The project is called FABRIC* which is a multi-million dollar project, partly-funded by the European Union, to address the technological feasibility, economic viability, and socio-environmental sustainability of wireless vehicle charging.

The project began in January 2014 and will continue through December 2017.

“Contributing to this exciting project has enabled us to test and further research dynamic charging on our Kangoo Z.E. vehicles,” said Eric Feunteun, Electric Vehicle Program Director, Groupe Renault.

“Our research engineers have worked very closely with the Qualcomm Technologies and Vedecom teams to complete the DEVC system integration demonstration as part of FABRIC. We see dynamic charging as a great vision to further enhance the ease of use of EVs, and the accessibility of EVs for all.”

“We are inventors. We are wireless electric vehicle charging. This dynamic charging demonstration is the embodiment of this,” said Steve Pazol, vice president and general manager, Wireless Charging, Qualcomm Incorporated.

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved. The combination of a global team of expert engineers and Qualcomm Halo technology, which covers all aspects of WEVC systems, irrespective of the magnetics used, has enabled us to really push the boundaries of the possible and outline our vision for future urban mobility.”

* FABRIC stands for FeAsiBility analysis and development of on-Road chargIng solutions for future electriC vehicles.