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

The OLEV system transfers power from cables in the ground to the bottom of a vehicle 20 cm above it. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

With the technology, power is transferred from the ground to the bottom of the vehicle 20 cm above it. The system maintains a power transmission efficiency rate of 85 percent with a 100 kW power supply.

Yoon added that the power cables only need to be lain across 2-15 percent of the length of a road, such as places where cars are likely to accelerate like crossroads and parking lots, meaning that only a relatively small percentage of roads would need to be dug up to lay the cables.

Another advantage of the system is that cars would only need batteries one third their current size, as power would almost always be available, according to the professor.

China is the world's largest car market as well as the fastest-growing market for new energy vehicles as the government looks to ease pressure on the environment.

"OLEV is the best way forward for China in terms of cost savings, in terms of environmental protection, in terms of efficiency and the way to put this into place quickly," said Kon Fah Loh , executive chairman of OLEV Asia.

Loh is an independent evangelist from Malaysia and believes OLEV is a very efficient wireless charging solution for China.

"China has the long-term vision toward infrastructure and electric vehicles, the financial capabilities and committed leadership, and has the feasibility to work out pilot OLEV programs," Loh stressed.