First Electric Car Wireless Charging trial announced

Qualcomm announced the first Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) trial for London. Qualcomm is collaborating with the UK Government, as well as the Mayor of London’s office and Transport for London (TfL) to deliver the trial.

The pre-commercial trial is expected to start in early 2012 and will involve as many as 50 electric vehicles ( EVs). The trial will use Qualcomm wireless inductive power transfer technology that enables high-efficiency power transfer across a large air gap. It is very easy to use: the driver simply parks the vehicle in the usual way and the system automatically aligns for power transfer, making parking easier and charging hassle free.

The trial, which will be based partially in Tech City, the East London cluster receiving the strong support of the Prime Minister, is planned to leverage the Tech City entrepreneurial community and encourage companies to innovate around services and applications, in order to enhance the smart EV experience.

Prime Minister David Cameron said, "This wireless charging technology is a giant leap forward for the electric car industry and I am delighted that London businesses will be among the first to benefit from the trial. Creative, high-tech advances such as this are extremely important as we work to rebalance our economy, and the decision to trial this at Tech City shows confidence in the UK as an ideal place for innovation and investment."

"Qualcomm is very pleased to be participating in the London WEVC pre-commercial trial, which builds on the existing trials of electric vehicles sponsored by the Technology Strategy Board and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles in the UK," said Andrew Gilbert, executive vice president of European Innovation Development at Qualcomm.

A Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging steering committee with representatives from TfL, the Mayor’s office, and central Government will be set up to oversee the trial. The trial is open to any company, such as vehicle manufacturers, that wishes to participate. Companies should register their interest at www.qualcomm.com/wireless-ev-charging.