Wireless charging for electric cars and bicycles
November 30, 2011
Mayor Boris Johnson has often referred to his hopes of London becoming the ‘electric car capital of Europe’ and now plans are underway for a network of wireless charging points for electric cars and bicycles.
Four electric cars owned by Transport for London have been adapted so that they can be re0charged by parking over an electric charge pad and discussions have taken place regarding electric bicycles being offered as part of the Boris Bike scheme.
Bicycle industry website BikeBiz has revealed that electric bicycle firms are in discussion to introduce wireless charging to their e-bike ranges.
Recharging technology firm Halo IPT told the site that there had been discussions about e-bike schemes: “If you take the Boris Bikes in London – it would be very straightforward and easy to build wireless charging into the docking stations, particularly as it would only be a small air gap. It’s a relatively fast charge too.”
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Electric Boris Bikes would encourage an even greater number of novice cyclists to use the scheme and enable them to make longer trips.”
If e-Boris Bikes generated their own power
However successful London’s bike hire scheme becomes, there are inevitably times when the bikes stand in their docking stations unused…until now. A resourceful group of London cyclists who enjoy ‘spinning’ (think aerobics class on exercise bikes) have taken to placing small rollers under the rear wheels of unused Boris Bikes. The result is an impromptu, alfresco and free spinning class. But all that wasted energy could be put to use charging the bikes’ batteries if they were electric assist.
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Information correct at time of publication.