Fortum and the City of Oslo are working on the world's first wireless fast-charging infrastructure for taxis
FORTUM CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 21 March 2019
Clean-energy company Fortum is in cooperation with the City of Oslo and the American company Momentum Dynamics to build a wireless fast-charging infrastructure for taxis in the Norwegian capital.
The project aims to install wireless charging using induction technology. Charging plates are installed in the ground where the taxi is parked and a receiver is installed in the taxi. This allows for charging up to 75 kilowatts. The project will be the first wireless fast-charging infrastructure for electric taxis anywhere in the world, and will also help the further development of wireless charging technology for all EV drivers.
Makes charging faster, easier and automatic
Fortum Charge & Drive has long been working with the taxi industry to enable electrification of the taxi fleet. The greatest hurdle has proved to be the infrastructure: It is too time consuming for taxi drivers to find a charger, plug in and then wait for the car to charge. The wireless fast-charging project aims to solve these issues and thereby reduce climate emissions from the taxi sector – not only in Norway, but in the entire world.
"We will install the wireless chargers at taxi stands, such as the one at the Oslo Central Station. Taxis will be able to drive up to the charger and a wireless charging session will automatically start. This allows the taxis to charge in a place where they would anyway be waiting for new customers. The difference is that they won’t be emitting exhaust while waiting, instead they will be receiving renewable energy to charge the taxi's battery," says Annika Hoffner, Head of Fortum Charge & Drive.
Oslo's taxis to be emissions free by 2023
"The future is electric, and it is already here, right now. Wireless charging is a potential game changer. From 2023 onward, all taxis in Oslo will be zero emission. Together with the taxi industry we will make sure that the shift is as user friendly and efficient as possible. Oslo will always be at the front of innovation and we are delighted to join forces with two of the industry's most progressive players in this game-changing move to launch the world's most ambitious plan for wireless charging of a taxi fleet," says Sture Portvik, the City of Oslo's Electro Mobility Manager.
"We believe this project will provide the world with the model it needs for keeping electric taxis in continuous 24/7 operation. It will build on the success we have demonstrated with electric buses, which also need to be automatically charged throughout the day in order to stay in operation. Momentum is very excited to be working with the people of Oslo and with our partner Fortum," says CEO Andrew Daga of Momentum Dynamics.
Fortum and the City of Oslo are now inviting interested automakers to join them in this unique project.
"We are now welcoming automakers to join us in this exciting and innovative project," says Hoffner.
Fortum Corporation
Group Communications
Further information:
Ole Gudbrann Hempel, Head of Fortum's Public Charging Network in Norway, phone +47 406 399 43, olegudbrann.hempel@fortum.com
Fortum
Fortum is a leading clean-energy company that provides its customers with electricity, heating and cooling as well as smart solutions to improve resource efficiency. We want to engage our customers and society to join the change for a cleaner world. We employ some 8,000 professionals in the Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia, Poland and India. In 2018, our sales were EUR 5.2 billion and 57% of our electricity generation was CO2 free. Fortum's share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. www.fortum.com
Tags:
