Electric Vehicle - Audi Introduce Electric Vehicle Wireless Charging @ Frankfurt

Another brand is exploring wireless power transfer to charge up their electric vehicle. After Rolls Royce's partnering with Halo IPT, also Audi understands the potential of this technology.

With special <a href="http://www. inductrophy.com">races</a> being organized (by for example Hotroad ) and also taxi and bus applications being promoted by numerous parties, we might have our future highways a lot sooner than many dare dream.

Audi Introduce Electric Vehicle Wireless Charging @ Frankfurt
http://electric-vehicles-cars-bikes.blogspot.com/2011/09/audi-introduce-wireless-charging.html

The charging process begins automatically when the EV drives onto the plate. The alternating magnetic field of the infrastructure side induces an alternating current across the air gap in the secondary coil, which is integrated into the vehicle. This current is rectified and fed into the vehicle’s electrical system, where it charges the battery or powers consumers such as the heater. The alternating field is only generated if the vehicle is standing over the plate and thus poses no danger to people or animals.

(via Instapaper)

- Roelof

Drive safe, drive sustainable

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Electric Vehicle - Battery technology: Highly charged

A nice promising breakthrough in the electric vehicle batteries, where the rate at which a battery can be recharged is greatly improved. From 0-90% in 2 minutes seems within reach at an increased cost of 20-30% of the battery.

The technology increases the area of the battery that is used in the (electro)chemical reactions, thus allowing a larger amount of electrons and ions to travel. Currently it is only applied on the cathode. Dr. Braun is currently looking into applying it to the anode of the battery as well, so expect another improvement there.

Great stuff!

A Nissan Leaf battery, charged to 90% in 2 minutes? It might be just around the corner...

Battery technology: Highly charged | The Economist
http://www.economist.com/node/18437910

The battery-maker’s dilemma is that the recharging rate depends on the area of contact between electrolyte and electrode. A thin, sandwich-like arrangement, in which cathode, electrolyte and anode are close together, can thus be discharged and recharged rapidly. However, this speed comes at a price. The amount of energy a battery can store depends on the volume of its electrodes, so a thin battery does not last long. What is needed is a way to increase contact area without sacrificing volume. And that is what Dr Braun has found. Moreover, his solution looks suitable for mass production.

(via Instapaper)

- Roelof

Drive safe, drive sustainable

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