Britain’s government is investing GBP3.4m (US$4.4m) in wireless charging technology trials at taxi ranks in the Midlands city of Nottingham.
Wireless charging at taxi ranks could provide an alternative to plugs and charge-points, meaning multiple vehicles can recharge at once.
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As more and more people make the switch to electric cars this new technology could also be rolled out more broadly for public use, helping everyday drivers of electric vehicles charge more easily on the go.
“Taxi drivers up and down the country are at the vanguard of the electric vehicle revolution, playing a leading role in reducing air pollution in our city centres where people live, shop and work,” said UK Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps.
“New wireless technology will make using an electric taxi quicker and more convenient, allowing drivers to charge up at taxi ranks before heading off with their next passenger.”
Ten Nissan and LEVC electric taxis in Nottingham will be fitted with wireless charging hardware for six months to trial taxi rank-based charging. The project is a collaboration between organisations including Cenex, Sprint Power, Shell, Nottingham City Council, Parking Energy, Transport for London and Coventry University.
Nottingham City Council will own the vehicles and provide them to drivers rent free. If successful, this technology could also be rolled out more broadly for public use.
Electric taxi drivers have benefited from measures including the exemption of zero-emission taxis from the higher rate of vehicle excise duty and GBP£20m for 27 local authorities to install electric taxi charge-points across England and Scotland. The government is also offering a GBP50m grant fund which provides drivers with up to GBP7,500 off the price of a new, eligible, purpose-built taxi.
The trial announcement follows nearly GBP£40m funding announced in July, 2019 for the development of electric vehicle charging technologies that could rapidly expand the UK charge-point network for people without off-street parking.
Innovations which have already received investment include underground charging systems which do not require on-street structures, suitable for busy urban roads and solar powered charging.
