Trial to charge electric taxis without wires under way in the UK

The Wireless Charging Electric Taxis project launched in February in Nottingham, England.

The vehicles will be loaned to local drivers

A trial is under way in the UK to test the ability to charge electric taxis without wires.

The Wireless Charging Electric Taxis (WiCET) project launched in February in Nottingham, England.

Five wireless charging pads are set to be installed at the city's Trent Street rank and nine vehicles will be fitted with wireless charging hardware.

These vehicles will be loaned to local drivers for them to experience the technology, while the council and its project partners will monitor the trial and take learnings forward to future wireless charging projects.

Thinking of making the switch to electric?

For wireless charging to work, electricity is transferred from one magnetic coil in the charger, which is hidden beneath the road surface, to a second magnetic coil or pad fitted to the underside of the vehicle.

The three main benefits of the project are:

1. Reducing street clutter

No cables are required and the wireless charging equipment is built into the road surface.

2. Easy and convenient charging

Drivers will be able to start a charge by driving over the pad without needing to leave their vehicle.

3. Time saving

Drivers will be able to charge their taxi at the rank while waiting for passengers. Instead of having to leave the rank and charge at a plug-in charger elsewhere in the city.

It's hoped the £3.4 million scheme, which is being funded by the Department for Transport, will lead to a reduction in emissions and help the city to achieve its ‘carbon neutral by 2028’ target.

Meanwhile, for those interested or curious about electric vehicles, Arnold Clark recently opened the Innovation Centre.

The new £5 million site opened last year on Dumbarton Road in Glasgow’s West End with the aim of educating visitors about the benefits of alternative fuel vehicles and why they are becoming so important.