Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Mercedes Benz, Daimler
Whether its WiFi vs. ethernet or cell phones vs. land lines, it's pretty clear that wireless technology is more appealing to people than wired ones. The same will some day be true of plug-in cars, since companies like Rolls-Royce and Toyota, Nissan and Volvo are all trying to get energy from the grid to your car without a wire. Daimler wants to join the club.
That's why Daimler and Conductix-Wampfler are teaming up on inductive charging tests with a Mercedes-Benz B-Class E-Cell Plus. The general idea is that a car can automatically charge up when parked over (or, perhaps, while driving) a special unit in the ground. This eliminates all sorts of potential problems with wired EVs, from vandalism of charging units to people unplugging cars to plain laziness. (Note we said potential; none of these "problems" have been reported in any great numbers, if at all.)
Daimler's tests showed confirmed "the considerable gain of comfort in comparison with cable based charging and that inductive charging is suitable in principle. The potential optimization regarding package, weight and integration in future vehicle model lines is identified and will accordingly be further developed." More information is available after the jump.
Daimler and Conductix-Wampfler conducted the tests with help from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Currently, the efficiency of this wireless technology sits at around 90 percent, which is a bit lower than the performance capability reported by other inductive charging companies. Conductix-Wampfler has been operating wireless charging electric buses Italy since 2003.
Continue reading Daimler testing B-Class E-Cell plug-in hybrid with inductive charging
Daimler testing B-Class E-Cell plug-in hybrid with inductive charging originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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