A Swinburne University of Technology-led project testing the feasibility of charging electric trucks as they drive has received a major $3 million grant from the federal government.
The project is aiming to implement an embedded wireless charging technology system into Australian roads, allowing electric trucks to charge as they drive.
This could make driving electric more efficient, with drivers rarely having to stop to charge their trucks, while also showing a way forward for Australia’s electric vehicle infrastructure.
Project leader Professor Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian of the New Energy Technology Research Group says that this could be a massive step forward for our transport 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,” he says.
“This collaborative effort is a perfect example of our shared vision for a sustainable transportation ecosystem that can significantly reduce our environmental footprint.”
It is estimated that fully electrifying Australia’s heavy vehicles by 2050 could save the transport sector a whopping $324 billion, and increase safety and efficiency on the road.
The prototype for wireless road charging has already received $8.2 million in funding by the federal government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants scheme.
The project is a collaboration between ACE Infrastructure, SEA Electric, Fleet Plant Hire, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Siemens, ARRB Group, and Net Zero Stack.
Led by Seyedmahmoudian, the working team also includes electrical renewable energy professor Saad Mekhilef and Swinburne Dean of School of Science Alex Stojcevski.
“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,” Stojcevski says.