Korean-developed EV-charging road could be rolled out in China

Chinese green energy company GCL New Energy Holdings displays its new energy vehicle at the 9th Chinese Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition in Wuxi. China-based EV makers have continued to grow and gain momentum in recent years as China has emphasized "green development". [Photo by Pan Qi/chinadaily.com.cn]

A Korean project that uses magnets and in-built electric cables to allow electric vehicles to charge their batteries while driving along the highway was one of the most exciting technologies on show at the 9th Chinese Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (CREC) in Wuxi, Jiangsu province on Nov 3.

The OLEV (online electric vehicle) project was developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The technology uses electric cables built into the surface of the road to transfer power along the highway. Magnets are then used to draw this power from the cables, allowing the car to charge its battery.

The KAIST has already trialed the system in South Korea, and hoped to find a Chinese partner at the CREC so that it could trial the project in China.

The technology could play an important role in helping China phase out production of conventional gas-powered vehicles, Dr Uooyeol Yoon, research professor at KAIST, told China Daily.

The OLEV system is more efficient and environmentally-friendly than using plug-in electric vehicles, according to Yoon, as it means that cities do not have to build costly charging infrastructure and car makers do not need to focus on developing huge batteries that are difficult to develop and potentially poisonous to the environment.

"OLEV saves space and is more efficient. Its dynamic charging system enables the driver to sleep all the way to Guangzhou under unmanned automatic driving condition. But for plug-in vehicles, you need to wake up to get the vehicle recharged because it will run out of power on the way," said Yoon.

According to Yoon, OLEV can be continuously powered while driving or stopped along a route as it uses a technology called shaped magnetic field in resonance.