The US Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) have extended a grant under Vehicle Technologies (VT) drive to Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center (HATCI) and Mojo Mobility to develop a system for a fast-paced charging of an electric vehicle (EV) wirelessly.
Wireless power technology firm Mojo Mobility specializes in wireless charging systems for transferring power of higher magnitude without demanding any particular positional arrangement between the charger and the vehicle.
HATCI president Dr. Sung Hwan Cho said: "HATCI is honored to be selected as a partner with the DOE... Innovative technologies such as this align well with one of our core goals, which is to create a vehicle experience that is intuitive and easy for the consumer."
Kia's foray into the US market with its first electric vehicle is indicative of the demand for electro-mobility and its role is evident towards cutting down petroleum consumption in the transportation sector.
HATCI and Mojo Mobility will join hands to design a wireless power transfer system on a test fleet of Kia Soul EVs during a period of three phases at HATCI in Superior Twp, Michigan, and Mojo Mobility in Santa Clara, California.
Mojo Mobility CEO and founder Dr. Afshin Partovi said: "We are delighted to partner with Kia and the U.S. DOE to bring the cutting-edge capabilities of our position-free wireless charging systems, which allow greater flexibility for vehicle alignment with the charging surface, to Kia Motors' electric vehicles and accelerate their adoption and ease of use for consumers."
The first phase will witness creating a wireless power transfer system with over 85% grid-to-vehicle efficiency, providing 10 kW to a given vehicle for fast charging.
During the second phase, a compact system would be provided with 92% efficiency, while the final lap would put to test its durability, interoperability, safety and performance.
Meanwhile, open standards-based technology solutions firm Greenlots has boosted its partnership with Kia Motors America (KMA) for a second rollout of DC fast-chargers (DCFCs) at Kia dealerships in four new states and California. The duo's partnership dates back to 2014 that made available SKY-enabled fast charge stations to Kia dealerships in California.
