A test and development project is now underway into wireless charging of electric taxis in service in central Gothenburg. A small fleet of electric taxis will operate for three years using inductive charging. The project is part of the Gothenburg Green City Zone initiative.
Drivers working for taxi operator Cabonline will provide normal taxi services using fully electric Volvo XC40s and wireless charging stations located in specially prepared parking spaces. The first test area will be Lindholmen. The charging technology has been developed by US company Momentum Dynamics and installed on behalf of municipally-owned energy company Göteborg Energi.
The aim is to test and further develop this exciting new charging technology and to gain experience that allows all concerned parties to contribute to the large-scale introduction of zero emission taxis to urban environments.
“Gothenburg Green City Zone has been established for precisely this type of project, real-world practical testing through which we can all learn to accelerate the pace of innovation. Electric taxis can make an enormous difference, both for the climate and to reduce noise in cities,” says Jonas Eriksson, operations manager for Gothenburg Green City Zone at Business Region Göteborg.
Other partners in the Wireless Charging project include Volvo Cars’ Swedish dealership groups Volvo Bil and Volvo Car Retail, and Vattenfall and its InCharge charging network.
The City of Gothenburg has adopted the goals of a fossil-free municipal vehicle fleet by 2023 and reducing CO2 emissions by 90% throughout the city’s transport system by 2030. Electrification is part of the solution. Business Region Göteborg is leading the transition to an electrified transport system. Large-scale penetration of electric vehicles demands a new kind of collaboration between stakeholders.
“The urban environment is greatly affected by the choice of fuels taxi companies make, as over time they cover very long distances in the city centre. The city is also a major purchaser of taxi services and transportation. If the taxi fleet is electrified, we can specify requirements for zero-emission transport services,” says Anne Piegsa, process manager for Electrification at Business Region Göteborg.
