World-first wireless charging for electric taxis

Induction charging will be installed for electric taxis in Oslo, Norway.

Charging plates are put in the ground where the taxi is parked and a receiver is placed in the taxi to allow for charging up to 75kW, says clean-energy company Fortum which is working with the City of Oslo and US company Momentum Dynamics.

The project is hailed as the first wireless fast-charging infrastructure for electric taxis in the world, and will assist further development of wireless charging technology for all EV drivers, Fortum says.

Fortum Charge & Drive has been working with the taxi industry to enable electrification of the taxi fleet, with Oslo’s taxis to be emission free by 2023.

The greatest hurdle is infrastructure, the company says. “It is too time consuming for taxi drivers to find a charger, plug in and then wait for the car to charge.”

The wireless fast-charging project aims to solve such issues and reduce climate emissions from the taxi sector world-wide.

“We will install the wireless chargers at taxi stands, such as the one at the Oslo Central Station,” Fortum Charge & Drive head Annika Hoffner says.

“Taxis will be able to drive up to the charger and a wireless charging session will automatically start. This allows the taxis to charge in a place where they would anyway be waiting for new customers. The difference is that they won’t be emitting exhaust while waiting, instead they will be receiving renewable energy to charge the taxi’s battery.”

Hoffner says automakers are being welcomed to join the project.

Momentum Dynamics chief executive officer Andrew Daga says the project will provide a world model to keep electric taxis in 24/7 operation and will build on the success the company has had with electric buses.