Automated Charging of Urban eTaxi-Fleets

Authors

S. Demuth, G. Eckhard, Easelink GmbH, Graz:

Year

2024

Print Info

Production/Publication ÖVK

Summary

Automated charging is a central technology of the car of the future. As a convenience feature, it not only eliminates handling of a charging cable, it is also a key technology at the interface between the energy and mobility sectors capable of making a crucial contribution to better integration of electric vehicles into the power grid, thereby promoting the use of renewable energy. Matrix Charging, developed by Graz-based technology company Easelink, is one of the world’s leading automated charging technologies. Thanks to conductive energy transfer and the unique design approach, this technology offers major advantages in efficiency and production costs over inductive charging.

Matrix Charging is currently deployed in the eTaxi Austria project of the cities of Vienna and Graz, the world’s largest pilot project for automated charging. The aim of the project is to demonstrate barrier-free, automated charging points at taxi stands as a key step towards the electrification of urban taxi fleets. The 60 taxis outfitted with Matrix Charging are engaged in real-world operations and are able to charge up automatically at 60 charging points. This paper presents the project itself as well as a review of its current status. The key technological factors for the success of the project are also covered, along with an analysis of the results achieved thus far. The insights from the project can easily be transferred to other fleet projects and serve as valuable inputs for the series production of the Matrix Charging technology.

ISBN

978-3-9504969-3-2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.62626/9rkz-1yu8 Copy link