News

HaloIPT to wirelessly charge super luxury car


2 March 2011

Arup Director and Chairman of HaloIPT, John Miles, represented Arup at the Geneva Motor Show on 2 March for the unveiling of the Rolls Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric vehicle, featuring HaloIPT technology.

The technology development company founded by UniServices, Arup, and Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund is pioneering the development and production of wireless charging technology for the transportation sector. HaloIPT’s objective is to bring its wireless charging technology to market for road vehicle applications on a global basis.

Arup Director and Chairman of HaloIPT, John Miles, represented Arup at the Geneva Motor Show on 2 March for the unveiling of the Rolls Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric vehicle, featuring HaloIPT technology.

HaloIPT will supply its revolutionary induction charging technology for 102EX, the Phantom Experimental Electric vehicle revealed yesterday at the Geneva Motor Show.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has developed the test vehicle to explore alternatives to traditional internal combustion for the first time in the company’s 107 year history. HaloIPT is part of an exclusive group of innovators whose systems have been integrated into the experimental vehicle.

HaloIPT is the first company in the world to bring to market wireless charging technology, which allows cars fitted with an integrated receiver to charge automatically when parked over transmitter pads buried in the ground. HaloIPT’s wireless charging systems use inductive power transfer (IPT) to transfer power over large gaps and are incredibly tolerant to parking misalignment with power transfer efficiencies that can match a plug-and-cable. The technology is designed to function beneath asphalt, and even works under water or covered in ice and snow. IPT systems can be configured to work with all road-based vehicles from small city cars to heavy-goods vehicles and buses.

In future, infrastructure providers will be able to embed IPT technology into roads, so HaloIPT cars can be charged on the move. This dynamic in-motion charging represents the most effective way of solving the range issues faced by electric vehicles today and will significantly reduce battery size requirements as well as providing unparalleled charging convenience.

Dr Anthony Thomson, CEO of HaloIPT, says: “We are delighted to provide our wireless charging technology for this trial. Industry feedback so far tells us that the automation advantages of wireless charging make it the best charging solution for luxury electric vehicles and will be the key to unlocking the potential of this exciting market. Users don’t need to get out of their vehicles and hunt for a cable to plug-in, they will just park and walk away while their car starts charging automatically… the ultimate in modern convenience.”

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has launched the website www.electricluxury.com to ignite a global debate around the car. Owners, media and Rolls-Royce enthusiasts are encouraged to contribute, feeding back thoughts, concerns and questions on the use of battery electric technology for super luxury cars.