The End of Range Anxiety is in Sight

[jeffcrum]

it has remained the same in many areas, sadly. But more demand drives improvements. Most arguments made in regards to the grid not being able to support mass adoption of EVs are mostly pointless and unsubstantiated. It’s true, if suddenly 30% or more of all vehicles switched to electric overnight, our power infrastructure in many places wouldn’t be able to handle it. But it’s a gradual adoption that is accelerating. Most utility companies are also accelerating their infrastructure development and are promoting EVs.

Another way to look at it is that back in the ‘50s, people were making all the same claims and talking about our power grid not being able to handle electric clothes dryers. …just to add that little bit of perspective.

Of course demand drives improvements. Once the demand is actually here, the improvements will start. Time will tell.

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[astricklin]

Because nothing ever gets better or improved, right? We should expect the grid to remain the same, or get worse, over the next decade. ?

Living in Texas, I wholly expect it to get worse.

 

[EaglesPDX]

It will not be easy,

Likely not cost effective nor very efficient.

I think Plugless.com figures about 70% energy efficient.

I suspect battery, charging and EV tech will evolve past wireless charging before it becomes economically viable.

 

[thomps33]

I'd like them to try that in Alaska where the asphalt can be over 10 feet thick in some places. ?

 

[EaglesPDX]

I'd like them to try that in Alaska where the asphalt can be over 10 feet thick in some places. ?

The wiring would be near surface mount so thickness of the road is not a factor. Issues with road bed moving due to freezing and thawing would be an issue in MI as well as AK but not a show stopper for wireless charging the cost and efficiency are the issues.

 

[thomps33]

The wiring would be near surface mount so thickness of the road is not a factor. Issues with road bed moving due to freezing and thawing would be an issue in MI as well as AK but not a show stopper for wireless charging the cost and efficiency are the issues.

Actually it would be. Here in Alaska there is permafrost. So they just put more asphalt on top of the current asphalt as it sinks. Eventually your surface mount wireless charging is under 10 feet of asphalt and most likely broken as wires don’t stretch very well. Lol

 

[MickeyAO]

Well hell, this doesn't stand a chance of working in Alaska. I guess we just need to scrap the entire idea and stick with the status quo.

Must be some hair-brained idea coming out of a National Lab and I guess we should just shut them all down to save money.

 

[EaglesPDX]

So they just put more asphalt on top of the current asphalt as it sinks.

Yikes. That sounds like environmental disaster but to the surface wiring of wireless EV charging, it would have to be moved every time road resurfaced on any roadway not just Alaska, another impediment to making "charging highways".

 

[jbirdzee]

Like many things, it takes time to work out the kinks moving concept to reality. I think there will be ways to make this technology work, and of course there are certain roads that have poor substrate that would be bad candidates for this. Thanks OP for bringing this article to my attention - I enjoy reading your posts!

 

[G-Zeus]

This bit caught my eye:

In wireless charging, EV batteries are energized when vehicles are parked over a charging pad or driven over specially outfitted roadways while power is transferred across an air gap between magnetic coils embedded in the ground and installed on the car. ​

The part about charging while driving sounds exciting, but also pretty expensive. That part will probably take more than a decade.

Just like the roads in Death Stranding! Void-outs optional...

[edit]
Might be interesting to have a special "charging" lane that you drive through at regular speed for a minute or two to get a decent charge. That would be pretty cool.

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