Electric taxi
The new technology aims to eliminate queues at charging stations. Credit: Mak on Unsplash.

The UK Government is investing $4.45m (£3.4m) in a trial on wireless charging for electric taxis in Nottingham, England.

Under the six-month trial, the electric taxis will be equipped with wireless charging hardware. If successful, the concept will be rolled out to public transport systems.

The project involves a collaboration between Cenex, Sprint Power, Shell, Nottingham City Council, Parking Energy, Transport for London and Coventry University.

The wireless charging hardware will be fitted on ten Nissan and LEVC electric taxis in Nottingham.

Wireless charging at taxi ranks is not only expected to offer an alternative to plugs and chargepoints, but will also reduce clutter on streets.

UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Andrea Leadsom said: “Charging technology, including wireless, is vital in giving consumers the confidence to make the switch from petrol to electric cars.

“This pioneering trial in Nottingham, and others like it, will help us take crucial steps towards lower emissions and cleaner air. We are determined to end our contribution to global warming entirely by 2050 and delivering cleaner and greener transport systems is a key part of this.”

With higher numbers of people switching over to electric cars, this new technology is expected to help eliminate queues at charging stations.

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Taxi drivers up and down the country are at the vanguard of the electric vehicle revolution, playing a leading role in reducing air pollution in our city centres where people live, shop and work.

“New wireless technology will make using an electric taxi quicker and more convenient, allowing drivers to charge up at taxi ranks before heading off with their next passenger.”

In July, $52.3m (£40m) of funding was announced for the development of electric vehicle charging technologies, rapidly expanding the UK’s charge point network.

In August, the UK invested $3.2m (£2.5m) to set up electric car charging points across the country.