Wireless Semi-Dynamic Charging for Electric Taxis (WS-CET)

"The WS-CET feasibility project will provide evidence to taxi drivers that switching to electric cars has a positive impact on their business and that it will bring to them a lower cost per mile, thanks to the introduction of a disruptive cable-less charging technology with low infrastructure and capital costs. The proposed technology allows the drivers of electric taxis to conveniently charge their batteries during the downtime while they are queuing in a rank waiting for customers, hence obtaining a significant extended zero emissions range throughout the working day without any impact on business. The system will also be beneficial to local authorities in terms of supporting taxis in the transition to low emission vehicles and the subsequent reduction in emissions, carbon and air quality problems.

The innovative charging technology has an estimated cost approximately 75% lower than the alternative wireless technologies, whilst being capable of supporting charging rates of an estimated 4 times while taxis are at taxi ranks. This combination will create a practicable business model from several potential charging methods which will be verified in the feasibility. Within the feasibility, the consortium will quantify the activity of taxis in respect to using EVs but will also measure the time and locations where taxis will gain the maximum charging benefit. This will be reflected in the different charging mechanisms and pricing strategies to be reviewed and matched against the costs to achieve a price per mile lower than that of a conventional car, which would make switching to electric cars also economically convenient for taxi drivers."