EV Charging

​Chargers for electric vehicles could be getting much smaller and more energy-efficient, if technology developed by scientists at North Carolina State University reaches consumers. The system may also allow for considerably quicker charging times.

Momentum Dynamics has announced the first 200 kilowatt wireless charger in North America, which sees a BYD electric bus in Wenatchee, Washington, receive a cable-free top-up during routine transfer stops.​​

The Swedish Transport Administration has just opened a 2-km (1.2-mi) stretch of electrified road that works like slot cars. The project, dubbed eRoadArlanda, involves embedding electric rails into the road surface to power electric vehicles through a contact arm hanging down from under the car.

KYMCO launched the Ionex at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show as the spearhead of a new battery-charging strategy. The Taiwanese manufacturer proposes a power outlet network that combines typical charging stations with battery-swapping vending machines, all the while remaining open to other manufacturers.

​Although charging points are becoming more commonplace all the time, buying an electric vehicle still brings some uncertainty. Tesla is removing some of the guesswork for prospective buyers, bringing a useful new trip-planning tool online to help you map out potential routes. ​

​Electric vehicles are an increasingly common sight on our roads. Though auto makers and fuel suppliers have committed to installing more chargers to meet rising EV demand, Berlin's Chargery proposes bringing the charging station to its customers by bicycle.​

Kensington and Chelsea Council in London has announced 50 new charging points for the borough. But rather than being located in dedicated charging station, these new Ubitricity sockets will be installed in converted streetlamps.

​The electric vehicle revolution is well and truly underway. Announcing the "Freedom is Electric" publicity campaign, utility company E.On confirmed that it's aiming to roll out 10,000 charging points across Europe over the next couple of years.​

Daimler, BMW, Ford and VW are collaborating on the installation of fast charging stations in numerous countries in Europe, starting with 20 this year. By the year 2020, the IONITY project will comprise around 400 EV pitstops to make long range travel easier on the electric driver.

Tesla has expanded its Supercharger network to include more than 5,400 outlets across the globe, and has now announced plans to fit out downtown centers with Supercharger stations to help ease the range anxiety for urban dwellers.

​Back in June, Renault partnered with the UK's Powervault to reuse batteries from electric vehicles in energy storage systems for the home. Now the automotive group has announced the installation of chargers at highway rest stops in Europe that also put second-life EV batteries to work.​

Electric cars are growing in popularity, but there are still a few things holding them back from widespread adoption. A new Honda charge station in Europe aims to solve one of those problems.