A wireless charging base is being installed on a taxi bridge at Nottingham Railway Station - previously there was no similar option for charging electric cars in the UK. The government is donating £ 3.4 million (about £ 1.3 billion) to build the technology. This will allow taxi drivers in the city to recharge their batteries while waiting for passengers - a total of five such parking spaces.
According to the Department of Transportation, the solution will eliminate the problems caused by cables and charging points and, thanks to its increasing efficiency, taxi drivers will be able to earn more. Of course, it is also a worthwhile endeavor that it is environmentally rewarding as it reduces pollutant emissions and improves air quality.
For buses, technology is not new anymore, as similar charging points were set up for buses in Milton Keynes in 2014 - although charging is only possible before departure and at the end of the journey, not on the go.
“In the country, taxi drivers are at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution, playing a leading role in reducing air pollution in our city centers, where people live, shop and work. Wireless technology makes using electric taxis faster and more convenient, so drivers can recharge their taxis until the next passenger arrives, ”said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
For the first time, ten electric taxis in Nottingham will be equipped with hardware that enables wireless recharging points. The vehicles will be owned by the Nottingham City Council, and taxi drivers will be given a free trial for six months. If the scheme fulfills its hopes, other motorists will also have the opportunity.
Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategies, commented on the innovative solution: “Charging technology, including wireless, is essential to give consumers confidence in switching from gasoline to electric cars. This is a pioneering test in Nottingham, for others to come in, and it will also help us to take steps to make the air cleaner. ”
