Char.gy is leading the first wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging trial to be open to the general public in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
Nine additional trials across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes are to take place, with the trials a collaborative effort between Buckinghamshire Council, Milton Keynes Council, the London Borough of Redbridge, the University of Warwick, the Open University, IPT Technology and hiyacar.
The trial has seen 10 Renault Zoes with aftermarket induction charging kits provided by hiyacar, with members of the public able to book the cars through the hiyacar platform for £1 per hour or £5 per day, plus insurance.
Char.gy’s wireless charging technology has been installed into a dedicated parking spot in Liston Road Car Park, allowing EVs to charge via an electrical induction charging pad installed in the ground.
The trial – which has secured funding from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and Innovate UK – is to last 12 months.
It’s hoped that alongside the planned further trials, it will show local communities the ease with which EVs can be shared and charged, as well as collect user feedback. Drivers who rent an EV during this trial will be contacted by the Open University for their feedback on their experience to gauge the success of this charging solution from the drivers’ perspectives.
Another wireless charging trial is currently being run in Nottingham, with this focused on demonstrating the suitability of wireless charging for a fleet of electric taxis.
Current± recently caught up with Sprint Power’s commercial director Ben Russell to discuss the company’s role in the trial and how wireless charging can take the hassle out of owning an EV.