STRP

The main objective of the project is to develop a battery system technology for electric fleet vehicles that results in reduced downtime due to charging, reduced range anxiety, elimination for the need for initial investment in larger battery capacity, allows for sharing battery modules easily and safely between fleet vehicles, and allows for the ability to transition the vehicle to newer battery chemistries and technologies and mix between them in the same vehicle. The technology consists of a relatively smaller size and lighter weight wireless battery modules that are sealed and contained within themselves with no electrical connections to the outside and utilize wireless power transfer and wireless communications to interface with the receiving unit or on-board unit (OBU) in the electric vehicle system. The OBU is the part in the EV which receives and combines the wireless power from the wireless battery modules. The battery modules are not physically connected to the OBU and can be quickly, easily, and safely swapped/exchanged, without the need for specialized equipment or trained persons. The degradation or failure of a battery module will not affect the other battery modules and will not result in operation interruption. The resources of battery modules can easily and quickly be redeployed to new locations as needed. These wireless battery modules can also be charged while in the vehicle, if desired. The energy transfer between the wireless modules and the OBU occurs over a very short distance, which guarantees high wireless power transfer efficiency. The technology supports fleet vehicles electrification and flexibility in the utilization of multiple energy sources such as renewable energy sources which can yield environmental and economical benefits.