Kenworth and Wave collaborate in development of wireless fast charging for long-distance operations
By Bradley Osborne - 4th October 2021
USA – Kenworth Truck Company, a subsidiary of PACCAR Inc based in Kirkland, Washingston, and Wave Inc, a subsidiary of Ideanomics Inc based in Salt Lake City, Utah, are collaborating in a project to develop wireless fast charging for use on a regional haul route between Portland, Oregon and Seattle in Washington.
The project is supported by Utah State University and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy; it involves the completion of a 400-mile round trip between the two cities, using a Kenworth T680E battery-electric Class 8 truck. The T680E ordinarily provides a range of around 150 miles, but the two companies hope to complete the journey while recharging just once. The truck will be recharged at 1 MW charging stations which will be installed at both ends of the journey; the companies aim to have the truck fully recharged in less than 30 minutes.
