The development of electric vehicles has become increasingly popular, but the challenges posed by battery technology limitations still hinder their everyday usability. Batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures, have a limited lifespan, and recharging them can be inconvenient. Addressing these issues, a research team from Chalmers University is working on a solution to simplify the charging process.
This team is pioneering an inductive wireless charging system for large vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, and ferries, capable of delivering 500 kW across a 15 cm (6 inch) air gap. The system uses a silicon carbide semiconductor and ultra-thin copper wire to enable this advanced charging capability, eliminating the need for manual intervention during charging. While plugging in an electric car may not be a major inconvenience, it can be cumbersome for larger vehicles like buses and ferries, usually requiring a robotic arm or human assistance to connect the charging cables.
Although this technology does not reduce battery charging times, it enhances the convenience of using these devices. For electric cars, this means being able to park and have the battery automatically recharged. Amid discussions about battery charging times, there is another issue of proprietary charging methods. This new system aims to establish an open-source standard for charging instead.
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