Charging e-cars without a cable: Volvo has launched a pilot project in Sweden in which e-cars can be supplied with power wirelessly and conveniently. The car charges itself automatically in special parking spaces – almost as quickly as at the charging station, the manufacturer promises.

Volvo

Volvo: Charge e-cars wirelessly in Gothenburg

Volvo has set up special parking spaces in Gothenburg’s “Green City Zone” where electric cars from the Recharge series can be recharged without any cables. In addition, Volvo XC40s are used, which are intended to be used as “green taxis” in the city. According to the manufacturer, the Charging with more than 40 kWalthough it remains unclear whether this is actually the available performance.

Drivers do not have to take action themselves. As soon as the e-car is parked in one of the prepared parking spaces, charging starts automatically. The 360-degree camera system from Volvo ensures precise alignment, after which energy flows over the charging pad (source: Volvo).

Only time will tell whether wireless power transmission can prevail in electric cars. There is more convenience for drivers, but just like with smartphones, for example, e-cars also have one Energy loss through inductive transmission to reckon with. In addition, there is the big problem of the waste heat that is generated. This makes wireless charging stations quite expensive. According to Volvo, the project is a “first durability test”.

This is how inductive charging works at Volvo:

Volvo: E-car sales increased

Volvo’s share of fully electric cars is now 33 percent, but they’re only doing it 7.2 percent of total sales the end. In the first two months of 2022, the manufacturer sold almost 20 percent fewer cars with combustion engines worldwide than in the same period last year. Sales of Recharge series EVs increased by 7 percent over the same period.