Running out of fuel in a remote location far from a gas station is a driver’s biggest fear. Electric vehicle owners face a similar concern known as “range anxiety,” which is the worry about how far their EVs can travel before the battery dies. As electric vehicles become more prevalent on the roads — with annual sales projected to hit 7.2 million by 2030 — exciting new charging solutions are being developed to simplify the charging process.
Experiencing a lack of gas in secluded areas away from a station is a nightmare for car owners. Electric vehicle drivers share this worry, termed “range anxiety,” which involves the uncertainty about how far their vehicles can go before the battery depletes.
With electric vehicles becoming increasingly common on the streets — with estimates suggesting annual sales could reach 7.2 million by 2030 — new and innovative charging techniques are emerging. One such approach is a technology that could enable charging while driving, highlighted in a recent study from the University of Texas at El Paso, published in the journal IEEE Access.
The research group at UTEP is part of a coalition of engineers funded by the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy, working on a technology called Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT), which allows vehicles to charge on specially equipped roads without needing a direct power source, according to Dr. Paras Mandal, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at UTEP and the lead researcher of the study.
“The electric transportation sector is rapidly advancing, and understanding the demand placed on our electrical grid is crucial,” stated Mandal. “Our work aims to provide deep insights into new methods of EV charging to ensure the sustainable use of both our transport systems and power utilities.”
Currently, most electric vehicles are charged at public stations or through home outlets. However, Mandal noted that home charging can be slow and drain significant electricity, while public charging stations are not yet widely available. Such challenges may lead to “range anxiety” and could hinder the broader adoption of electric vehicles, thereby limiting reductions in petroleum use, vehicle emissions, noise pollution, and ultimately helping to enhance air quality.
The DWPT technology is still undergoing development; however, before it can be implemented, a thorough understanding of the future electrical load demand is necessary for engineers, utility companies, and local governments. Accurately modeling this “load demand” is complex, as it requires consideration of vehicles of different sizes, lengths of roadway, and traffic conditions. To assess how a DWPT system impacts the electrical grid under various usage scenarios, Mandal’s team devised a new method called modified Toeplitz convolution (mCONV). This model mathematically formulates DWPT, aiding engineers in measuring dynamic electrical load demands while considering different distances, traffic patterns, and vehicle types.
“The next phase of our research will focus on how DWPT might influence the stability and reliability of power systems,” Mandal explained.
“Dr. Mandal and his team are pushing boundaries in our transportation infrastructure,” commented Dr. Kenith Meissner, dean of the College of Engineering. “This innovative model will assist local and state governments as well as utility providers in understanding the implementation logistics of DWPT roadways, facilitating a wider acceptance of electric vehicles.”
Research at UTEP is part of the ASPIRE group, which stands for Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification, under the auspices of the NSF Engineering Research Center. This group comprises several institutions, including Utah State University, Purdue University, The University of Colorado Boulder, and The University of Auckland in New Zealand.
