World-first technology paves the way for heavy electric vehicles to charge on-the-road

World-first technology paves the way for heavy electric vehicles to charge on-the-road

By Ashmeeta Subra  March 12th, 2024

A $3 million grant from the Australian Government could boost the nation’s electric vehicle industry with wireless charging technology for trucks and buses.

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Led by the Swinburne University of Technology, this world-first project will aim to integrate dynamic wireless charging technology into roads, encouraging electric vehicle (EV) uptake across the nation.  

Ensuring sufficient charge for heavy vehicles carrying high loads or traveling long distances has proven to be a significant challenge to Australia’s electrification process. By overcoming this hurdle, Australia could save around $324 billion by 2050 while contributing to a cleaner, safer, and more efficient transportation industry.  

“By seamlessly integrating dynamic wireless charging systems into our road infrastructure, we are setting the stage for a transformation in the heavy vehicle industry,” said project leader and New Energy Technology Research Group Professor Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian.   

The Australian government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants scheme funded the prototype with an $8.2 million investment for incorporating advanced wireless charging infrastructure on regional roads.  

Involving ACE Infrastructure, SEA Electric, Fleet Plant Hire, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Siemens, ARRB Group, and Net Zero Stack – this collaborative project emerges from extensive research conducted by leading scientists and Ph.D. students at Swinburne’s New Energy Technologies Research Group.  

Working alongside this group are Chief Investigators Distinguished Professor in Electrical Renewable Energy Saad Mekhilef and Dean of School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies Professor Alex Stojcevski. Professor Stojcevski noted that the project will bridge the gap between research and the real world. 

“We are thrilled to be providing a platform for researchers to collaborate with leading industry partners and contribute to real-world solutions in the development of sustainable and innovative energy solutions for the future of transportation,” Professor Stojcevski said. 

Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.

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Ashmeeta Subra

With background in international relations and marketing communications, Ashmeeta is excited to use her skills to encourage positive environmental actions through Planet Ark. She believes that by taking small actions, we can help make a big difference and be good stewards of our planet. Outside of work, she loves spending time in nature and enjoying downtime at the beach.

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