Toyota confirms EV wireless charging testing programme
The technology enables a vehicle to be charged simply by parking it in alignment with a coil set into the surface of the ground. The carmaker even says it’s developed a function for its Intelligent Parking Assist system that shows the position of the transmitting coil in a parking space to help the driver park the car correctly.
The carmaker has confirmed that the system will be brought to market to help further promote the use of EVs, although no date has been announced. It added that measures have been taken to minimise any electromagnetic interference with nearby equipment, and the transmitting coil in the ground has been made robust enough to withstand vehicles driving over it.
The test programme involves three plug-in hybrids used by homes in Aichi prefecture in Japan. The system will assess user satisfaction, the system’s ease of use, misalignment rates and charging behaviour, such as how often charging takes place and timer-based charging it used.
- Toyota will be one of a number of carmakers appearing at this year's Fleet Show at Silverstone on Wednesday 9th April. For more details, visit: http://www.thefleetshow.co.uk/