A new circuit called “Arena del Futuro” (‘Arena of the Future’) has opened in Italy to field test revolutionary induction charging technology that will charge electric vehicles as they are driven over the road.
Using Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT), EVs can be charged wirelessly by driving them in wired lanes with an innovative system of turns installed under the tarmac.
The circuit was built by Brebemi in partnership with leading automaker Stellantis, and other partners, including public institutions and universities.
Located on the A35 motorway link between Brescia and Milan, the 1,050-meter-long stretch of road is powered with an electrical output of 1MW.
Recently cited by Times magazine as one of the 100 most important inventions of 2021, “charging vehicles while they on the move provides clear advantages in terms of charging times,” says Anne-Lise Richard, head of global e-Mobility at Stellantis.
“We’re accelerating our role of defining the mobility of the future and, in this sense, DWPT technology seems to us to be in line with our desire to offer a concrete response to customers’ requirements.”
The first vehicles to test this zero-emissions mobility system is the Fiat 500 and Iveco E-Way bus.
However, any EV can be charged using this technology by equipping a vehicle with a special receiver, which transfers the energy incoming from the road infrastructure to the battery.
“At the same time, the advanced connectivity over IOT (Internet of Things) technologies will guarantee maximum road safety, made possible by constant dialog between the autostrada and the vehicles traveling along them,” said Stellantis in a statement.
“The road surface will also be optimized to make it more durable without altering the efficiency and effectiveness of the inductive charge.”
The other companies involved in the project include, ABB, Electreon, FIAMM Energy Technology, IVECO, IVECO Bus, Mapei, Pizzarotti, the Polytechnic University of Milan, Prysmian, TIM, Roma Tre and Parma Universities, the Fire Brigade and the Traffic Police.