Chargemaster launches Halo wireless vehicle charging trial

Posted on 8 Nov 2012 at 10:04, by Gareth Halfacree

Chargemaster has announced plans to roll out Qualcomm's Halo wireless charging system at six of its London sites, letting commuters top-up their vehicle's battery without cables.

The small-scale test will see six of Chargemaster's London sites, along with its Luton headquarters, fitted with the Halo system. Developed by Qualcomm, the Halo system offers wire-free charging of electric vehicles simply by parking them over a charging plate. The system requires a Halo-compatible vehicle, but Qualcomm has already received interest from vehicle manufacturers including Renault, which has agreed its own trial of the Halo system at sites around London.

"Wireless technology will be a major milestone in allowing the average man in the street to own and operate an electric car. It's our plan to roll out wireless charging right across our estate," David Martell, Chargemaster's chief executive, said at the company's announcement event. "I see no reason why every site in supermarkets and car parks cannot have wireless charging integrated."

Integration of the Halo technology into parking spaces would allow electric vehicle drivers to charge up their batteries without connecting any cabling, yet cost no more to fit than equivalent plug-in charging stations. The energy loss, meanwhile, is estimated to be around 10 per cent - roughly the same as a plug-in system.

Renault, already a Halo partner, has agreed to participate in the Chargemaster trial, following an earlier trial at sites in Birmingham and Coventry. The trial is expected to run for two years, following which Chargemaster will make a decision about whether to roll out the Halo wireless charging technology to all its sites across the UK commercially.

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