Wired for drive

Auckland UniServices has launched a technology allowing cars to charge wirelessly, employing the same technology used to charge electric toothbrushes. The company behind the technology, called HaloIPT, is a technology development company founded by Auckland University in New Zealand and Arup in the UK. “The wireless charging technology which is set to revolutionise the electric vehicle market has major benefits for New Zealand,” Auckland UniServices Ltd chief executive Peter Lee said. HaloIPT demonstrated adapted electric cars at this month’s launch in London that could recharge themselves simply by parking over a transmitter pad in the road. The Citroën electric cars were fitted with receiver pads on the underside of the car, allowing the cars to be powered up automatically and wirelessly. “The potential is huge. The delivery of this benefit will be global but the high technology end of the business will stay in New Zealand,” Anthony Thomson, CEO of HaloIPT explained. The company hopes to have a commercial scale demonstration of its technology by 212.