COVENTRY University researchers have played a pivotal role in a ‘first of its kind’ UK trial of wirelessly charged electric taxis.
Cable charging with physical connections is impractical for taxi drivers, who need to constantly move their vehicles in taxi ranks when they are waiting for passengers.
The wireless charging for electric taxis (WICET) trial allows drivers to wirelessly recharge their vehicles in ranks while waiting for passengers.
The system allows multiple vehicles to be charged so drivers can use the rank for short, top-up charging bursts while they queue for fares without needing to leave their vehicle.
The WICET pilot is part of a government-funded trial with wireless charging equipment fitted onto electric hackney carriages and installed into a taxi rank in Nottingham.
Five wireless ground transmitter pad systems have been installed at the main taxi rank near the train station, with nine electric hackney carriages retrofitted with wireless receiver pads.
Wireless charging will begin when the taxi is aligned over the charging pads using a screen that tells drivers where the pads are.
The vehicle will be realigned with the next pad as the taxi moves forward in the rank to continue charging.
Coventry University researchers at the National Transport Design Centre (NTDC), were brought into the project to help ensure the technology works effectively and to help prevent drivers from missing out on fares.
The NTDC members recommended what the interface should look like and ensured the recharging process is efficient and easy to operate.
The university’s professor of human factors for future transport, Stewart Birrell said: “Wireless charging is like any other technology solution in that the design needs to consider the user experience to increase acceptance and use of the new technology.
“At Coventry University’s National Transport Design Centre, we engaged with Nottingham taxi drivers to understand what they need from our wireless charging system and the in-vehicle interface.”
