In an innovative move, UCLA is set to host a groundbreaking pilot project that will test wireless EV charging technology beneath its campus streets. The concept is simple yet transformative: as an electric bus drives along certain roads, chargers embedded in the pavement will wirelessly transfer power to the vehicle. This futuristic technology is the next step in a growing wave of experiments across the country that could change the way EVs are charged and used in public transit.
This initiative is more than just an academic curiosity. It addresses a critical issue facing the expansion of electric vehicles in commercial fleets—charging infrastructure. Traditional charging stations require large amounts of space and can cause disruptions in high-traffic areas. With wireless charging, these issues could be bypassed, allowing for more flexible, convenient, and widespread EV adoption. UCLA, already known for its forward-thinking approach to sustainability, is partnering with Electreon, a wireless charging company, and the nonprofit Calstart, with state funding to bring this ambitious project to life. As part of the program, UCLA is also transitioning its entire fleet of buses to electric power, taking a significant step toward reducing its carbon footprint while exploring new methods of supporting EV infrastructure.
How Wireless Charging Can Solve Infrastructure Challenges
The fundamental advantage of wireless charging is its ability to reduce the demand for stationary charging infrastructure. Currently, UCLA’s electric buses charge overnight, but the growing fleet size has created challenges due to increased power demand. Adding more charging stations is costly and requires significant space, particularly for large vehicles like buses. The solution? Charging while the buses are on the move. According to Clinton Bench, the director of UCLA Fleet and Transit, the ability to charge buses while in motion offers a dual benefit: it reduces the need for charging infrastructure while also allowing the buses to stay in service for longer periods each day. As a result, service reliability improves, and the university can avoid the high costs associated with building out additional charging infrastructure.
Cost-Effective and Scalable Charging for Fleets
One of the concerns when considering this technology is its cost. Bench notes that the process of installing inductive charging (charging via electromagnetic fields) is comparable to traditional EV charger installation but is more cost-effective in the long term. The initial installation may be expensive, but the system's scalability could make it a more viable solution as demand for charging infrastructure increases.
The way it works is straightforward: when a road is due for resurfacing, thin charging coils are embedded in the pavement, and electric buses are equipped with receptors that communicate with these coils. As the bus drives over the coils, power is transferred to the vehicle. This process has been tested in other countries like Sweden, where the use of wireless charging allowed for a 90% reduction in the size of the bus battery, making the vehicle lighter and cheaper.
The Future of EV Charging: Reduced Space, Greater Flexibility
One of the major obstacles with traditional charging methods is the space required for installation. Fast chargers and megawatt chargers require large spaces, often creating congestion in urban areas. However, with wireless charging, the physical footprint is minimized. As Stefan Tongur, Vice President of business development at Electreon, explains, “Everything is underground and you don’t have any mechanical connection,” making it a more attractive solution for urban environments that are already overcrowded.
In addition to buses, this technology could be extended to a variety of transportation modes, including trucks, car-share vehicles, and even vans. This flexibility could reduce the overall cost of building charging infrastructure, as fewer charging stations would be required to accommodate a broader range of vehicles. At its core this technology is similar to how many of us charge our phones wirelessly.
Impact on the Environment and Future Fleet Design
Wireless charging has the potential to reduce not only infrastructure costs but also the environmental impact of electric vehicles. By allowing buses to use smaller batteries, the energy required to manufacture EV batteries can be significantly reduced. A smaller battery means less resource extraction, less manufacturing waste, and a lower environmental footprint overall. This is especially important in addressing the growing concern about the environmental cost of producing large-scale batteries for electric vehicles.
In UCLA’s case, the adoption of wireless charging could also influence future fleet designs. A smaller battery would allow buses to weigh less, reducing energy consumption, and thus, the cost of operating the fleet. This would make electric buses an even more viable option for public transit agencies looking to reduce both emissions and operating expenses.
The Benefits of Wireless Charging
As electric vehicles become an increasingly viable option for public transit, the development of wireless charging infrastructure like the project at UCLA offers a glimpse into the future of EV fleet management. This technology not only solves the space and cost challenges of traditional charging stations but also provides flexibility, scalability, and environmental benefits that can be crucial in driving the adoption of electric vehicles. UCLA’s pilot project marks a significant step toward making wireless charging a mainstream solution for fleets, and as the system is refined and expanded, it could become an integral part of the global shift to sustainable transportation.
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