A new project to develop a smart charging system for electric cars is being run by Volvo, Ericsson, utility company Göteborg Energi and the Viktoria Institute.
Called ELVIIS (Electric Vehicle Intelligent Infra Structure), the project aims to develop smart on-board system for controlling, measuring and paying for electricity when charging via any kind of outlet.
The research project aims to bring mobile connectivity to electric cars and to identify and remove barriers for using electrical vehicles in daily life.
Using the prototype system, a driver can locate a charging outlet via GPS and pre-set timing and charging amount on the touch screen or remotely via a smart phone or tablet. Using the mobile network, the car communicates with the grid and sets the charging scheme in order to support optimal utilisation of the grid and most favourable energy price. Any unintended interruption of charging process is directly reported to the driver's mobile phone and the system directs the cost for each charge to the car owner's personal utility bill.
Volvo’s own limited -production C30 Electric has been used as a test car in the project. Equipped with an integrated 7-inch colour touch screen, it makes the smooth charging concept available at the driver's fingertip. Five C30 Electric cars will now be used for testing and evaluating the technology during the coming year.
"Our basic view is that the owner of an electric vehicle shouldn't have to sacrifice any of the properties he or she expects from a luxury car," says Lennart Stegland, Vice President Electric Propulsion Systems, Volvo Car Corporation. "This smart technology for charging in any outlet, and paying automatically via your own electricity bill, is an excellent example of how we do everything to make the daily use easier for the customer."
The system also complements Volvo’s own smart communications system called Sensus.
Faye has been writing about cars and environmental issues since 2007. A suspected eco-warrior working on the corporate inside, Faye mainly likes the weird, quirky vehicles that show a distinct environmental advantage. Her ideal car has enough room to fit a bale of hay in the boot. When not working, she likes nothing better than to head out on her bicycle and explore the countryside.
Faye Sunderland
February 23, 2012
Filed under: Volvo
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