Momentum’s Wireless Charging System will be installed in a small fleet of completely electric Volvo XC40 Recharge Cars, which will be used by the Nordic region’s largest taxi company.
Volvo Cars has chosen Momentum Dynamics as its exclusive wireless charging partner for a three-year EV wireless charging pilot program in a “live city environment.”
While Momentum’s technology has been in full commercial use on various types of electric vehicles for more than four years, this program, which is part of the Gothenburg Green City Zone, will allow for the deployment of a limited fleet of completely electric Volvo XC40 Recharge cars as taxis. The cabs will be driven for more than 12 hours per day and 100,000 kilometers per year, marking the first time fully electric Volvo cars have been tested in a commercial setting.
“Gothenburg Green City Zone lets us try exciting new technologies in a real environment and evaluate them over time for a potential future broader introduction,” said Mats Moberg, head of Research and Development at Volvo Cars. “Testing new charging technologies together with selected partners is a good way to evaluate alternative charging options for our future cars.”
Cabonline, the largest taxi operator in the Nordic region, will employ Momentum Dynamics’ wireless charging stations at two locations in Gothenburg, Sweden, over a three-year period to operate a small fleet of fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge cars as taxis.
Volvo Cars will collect statistics, as well as driver and customer input, on a regular basis during the test period in order to find ways to improve the charging experience.
“This is a technology breakthrough moment in the development of wireless charging for all communities,” said Momentum Dynamics CEO Andy Daga. “Automated charging provides unlimited driving range for high intensity driving and our system enables Gothenburg cab drivers to stay in revenue service all day. We are pleased that the system was integrated by Momentum and Volvo Cars engineers into the fully electric XC40 Recharge so efficiently, even with the difficulties of COVID-19. This project perfectly outlines the automatic electric taxi charging model for any city looking to implement zero emission transportation as well as use by passenger vehicles. We thank Volvo Cars for their vision and confidence in us as their wireless charging partner.”
The wireless charging trial is one of several efforts stated in the Gothenburg Green City Zone strategic project, which uses specified regions of the city as living testbeds for the development of sustainable technology.
Other partners in the wireless charging project include Volvo Cars’ Swedish dealership group Volvo Bil, Sweden based energy company Vattenfall and its charging network InCharge, municipal energy company Göteborg Energi, and municipal business development agency Business Region Gothenburg, in addition to Momentum Dynamics.