Wireless Fleet Charging, Ford E-Transit, and Las Vegas
By Justin Scalzi, VP, WiTricity
Any week in Las Vegas is crazy, but the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo provided an especially intense experience. We received a lot of great feedback about wireless charging technology and our upgraded Ford E-Transit. As one attendee said, “I’ve walked the entire show floor and yours is the one product I see that’s outside the box.”
First, if you’re a fleet manager – or provide products to fleets – ACT is the one show you need to attend. There’s no better show with fleet decision makers, as well as representatives from every fleet brand, all in one place.
We were pleased to hear that many attendees who came by our booth were aware of wireless EV charging. And they’re excited about the possibilities for their fleet. Many took notice of our recent announcement of International Transportation Service launching a wireless charging pilot project at the Port of Long Beach. You’ll find more information here.
As fleets continue to move toward zero emissions, they’re looking for alternatives to conductive, i.e., plug-in charging. Like consumers thinking about personal electric vehicles, many attendees are concerned about range. But, once they saw how wireless charging works, they were excited to learn that range can be extended using their fleet’s downtime to charge. By simply parking over the ground pad, the vehicle can begin charging immediately – each time the vehicle is parked. Whether loading, unloading, making deliveries, or simply at night. It’s safe, efficient, and easy.
Fleet managers were also excited to learn about our work wirelessly charging golf carts – a mainstay of many fleets. I was happy to hear nearly every fleet manager mention that they run both light-duty vehicles (like the Ford E-Transit that was in our booth) alongside utility vehicles, runabouts, and golf carts for many of their day-to-day needs.
Adrenaline (and lots of coffee) got me through the week. The long Memorial Day weekend couldn’t have come soon enough. I’m rejuvenated and look forward to continuing the conversations we began at ACT. If you weren’t at ACT – please contact us so we can share more about wireless EV charging and how it impacts fleets!