Expanding on the concept that rent-a-cars provide a highly effective arena for pitching new automotive technologies to would-be vehicle buyers, Hertz is conducting a pilot program to test wireless charging stations for electric vehicles.
Similar to the functionality behind electric toothbrushes, it utilizes inductive power transfer to streamline EV charging by eliminating the cord and the plug. Energy is transferred from a parking pad transmitting coil and converted into an electrical current by a receiving coil via an add-on adapter.
No actual electricity flows between the adapter and the parking pad. “Only the compatible coils can make this energy transfer possible – ensuring total safety for anything that comes into contact with the system,” explains Evatran CEO Thomas Hough.
“This is an important moment in time for the electric vehicle. We believe that the widespread adoption of these cars requires enabling technologies, like Plugless Power, to come to market,” he notes. “Bringing these technologies to all electric vehicle owners, however, requires industry leaders to step forward to trial prototypes.”
“Interest in wireless charging is at an all-time high in the electric vehicle market,” adds Rebecca Hough, “and we’re excited to unveil the current generation of our product.”
She goes on to explain that “wireless charging is no longer simply about transferring power over a gap; the market is demanding seamless integration into vehicles, safety features and the incorporation of a simple user interface. With design considerations for each of these requirements, Plugless Power will be showcased as the most production-ready technology available.”
The Hertz trial, the first of its kind in the world, “will help to establish the U.S. as the EV market leader,” reports Mark P. Frissora, the car-rental company’s chairman and CEO.
“Hertz is committed to its global EV program, introducing electric vehicles into our rental fleet on three continents – North America, Asia and Europe,” he says.
“We’re excited to participate in Plugless Power’s pilot program so that we can be on the ground floor of this new technology; learning key findings about EV wireless charging,” Frissora points out. “As we move forward, our goal is to have a variety of charging options for EV customer use aligned with the charging equipment installed by EV manufacturers.”
In the U.S., EVs and PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) are now available for car renters in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and San Francisco. “Hertz is introducing multiple groups of consumers – urban drivers, university students, travelers and corporations – to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles,” says Frissora, describing plans to increase its global EV presence by deploying these types of vehicles throughout other regions within the next few months.
Evatran is working with Yazaki North America, a Tier 1 automotive supplier, to perfect prototypes for the Apollo Trial Program. The Evatran-led initiative currently includes EV pioneers from various marketplace segments, such as Hertz, Google, Duke Energy and Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR).
“The Apollo Program fits perfectly with CU-ICAR’s efforts in a holistic view of alternative powertrain solutions and their infrastructure implications,” says Dr. Joachim Taiber, a senior research professor at the university. “We are very pleased to be part of the trial and are confident the program will lead to significant advances in understanding key aspects of wireless infrastructure.”
Google’s parking lots on board by trying out Plugless Power at the search engine’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. “The interest shown by Google and the cooperation we’ve received to retrofit their EV (fleet of company cars) provides evidence that a simple, convenient charging process is needed for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles,” observes Thomas Hough.
Evatran’s lineup of Plugless Power devices will eventually encompass mass production units covering residential, commercial and public charging applications. “It also allows you to use plug-in technology as well,” says Kevin Beck, vice president of business development. It takes three and a half hours to wirelessly power-up a typical EV – the same time frame as plug-in units.
Beck additionally tells Aftermarket Business World that the technology will definitely include industry repair shop owners and parts providers as it moves forward. “We have onboard aftermarket components that are installed on the vehicle,” he notes.
The target price for the aftermarket plugless add-on adaptor work ranges from $2,500 to $3,000. At present it takes two-and-a-half hours to install the experimental equipment. “We have goals to cut that down to an hour,” says Beck, emphasizing that the OEM engineering aspects of the vehicle will remain intact. “We don’t cut holes or anything, we use what’s available” on the car.
Enhancements in the business models for profitably positioning the charging units are also under development. Computerized networking connectivity, credit card readers and the ability to proffer messaging screens for selling advertisements are all part of the plan, according to Beck.
“Installation of EV charging infrastructure by the private sector will be driven by the ability to generate revenue with the charging stations,” concurs competitor Dexter Turner, CEO of OpConnect, which has its touch screen-equipped plug-in chargers in place for guests of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Portland, Ore. “Our advertising-supported model is an excellent way to do that.”
For more information, visit www.pluglesspower.com and www.opconnect.com.
