Energy firm Engie and the Municipality of Rotterdam are running a pilot scheme on wireless charging for electric cars.

Councillor Pex Langenberg, alderman for mobility, sustainability and culture of the Municipality of Rotterdam.

Carried out to investigate the challenges entailed in integrating an induction system in the public space, the trial uses two magnetic coils – one situated in the  ground and connected to a power source, and the other arranged in the vehicle and connected to both the charging system and the vehicle battery.

By means of a magnetic field between the two coils, energy is transferred from the sender in the ground to the receiver in the car. A Bluetooth connection between the vehicle and the induction plate ensures communication.

The pilot ends in the first quarter of 2017, with possible options for expansion including more research into standardisation and smart charging; using (semi) dynamic induction charging for taxi ranks and bus stops and organising an international symposium to share knowledge.

Engie added that much more research and similar pilots need to be undertaken before widespread use is possible, and added that wireless charging is key to the development of self-driving cars.

A report has been published to expand on the details of the trial. Commenting on the trial process, councillor Pex Langenberg, alderman for mobility, sustainability and culture of the Municipality of Rotterdam, said: “Wireless Charging is a promising technology with technical and operational challenges. This technique has not been previously tested in Europe on a private vehicle charging in the public space. The provision of knowledge from this test helps bring the launch of Wireless Charging for electric cars closer.”