Earlier today, Qualcomm unveiled new technology which allows electric cars to be charged while driving. The new charging tech was unveiled in a live demonstration, and showed that Dynamic Electric Vehicle Charging, also known as DEVC, has the ability to dynamically charge an electric vehicle at up to 20 kilowatts when the vehicle is being driven at highway speeds. If the technology is ultimately successful, it could be installed on stretches of highways and may mean that owners of electric cars may never have to take their car to a charging station again. “The installation of one of the world’s first DEVC test platforms has provided us with a unique test facility and we look forward to expanding our expertise with the future testing,” commented VEDECOM CEO, Luc Marbach.
DEVC technology is closely based on another system designed and owned by the California-based semiconductor company – their Halo wireless electric vehicle charging technology, more commonly known as WEVC. To demonstrate the power of the new technology, the company built a 100km road in Satory, Versailles and used two electric-powered Renault Kangoos.Tests demonstrated that the cars were able to be charged when traveling in either direction on the track. Both cars were also able to charge on the track at the same time and were also able to pick up charge when traveling in reverse, which demonstrates that the technology has potential in real-world scenarios.
The project is known as FABRIC (which stands for the much more complicated Feasibility analysis and development of on-road charging solutions for future electric vehicles). The European Commission reportedly funded the majority of the cost for the project which amounts to about €9 million (£7.6m). The project was built in conjunction with VEDECOM, who together with Qualcomm were responsible for installing the source part of the Halo DEVC in the test track. Renault then worked with VEDECOM to install the receiving technology into the vehicles, and now the testing phase on the vehicles is complete, the Halo technology will be handed over to VEDECOM, who are responsible for further testing on such aspects as safety, energy transfer, general operation, and efficiency. The project first began in January 2014 and the companies intend to continue the testing program at the location until the end of the year.