Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center (HATCI) and Mojo Mobility, a wireless power technology company, have received federal funding to research and develop a system capable of fast charging an electric vehicle wirelessly.
The grant has been offered by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Vehicle Technologies (VT) program. Mojo Mobility has expertise in developing highly efficient wireless charging systems capable of transferring high power without need for precise alignment between the charger and the vehicle.
The wireless charging technology will be tested on a fleet of 2015 Kia Soul EVs over three phases, at HATCI in Superior Township, Michigan, and Mojo Mobility in Santa Clara, California.
During Phase One, the partnership developed a wireless power transfer system that has more than 85 percent grid-to-vehicle efficiency and is capable of transferring more than 10 kW to the vehicle for fast charging. The new system allows misalignment between the energy transmitter on the ground and the energy receiver on the vehicle, which means it is more convenient for day-to-day use.
Phase Two will include the integration of a compact system optimized for the Soul EV and a demonstration of full operation at a record 92 percent efficiency. Finally, the third and final phase of the project will allow the two partners to gather real-world performance data using five Kia Soul EVs and corresponding energy transmission units. The final phase will test the systems’ durability, interoperability, safety, and performance. The companies have not announced yet when the system will be available for purchase.
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