U.S. Representative Jim Gerlach, Pennsylvania 6th District, visited the offices of Momentum Dynamics to learn more about their wireless charging technology for electric vehicles. The company plans to begin testing its technology in Berks County, PA in July, and to rollout other test sites around the country in Q3 and Q4.
Momentum Dynamics recently participated in a roundtable discussion on-board HMS Gloucester at the invitation of British Consul-General Sir Alan Collins. The roundtable, which involved a delegation of leading US clean tech companies, focused on US-UK cooperation and joint venture opportunities.
Read more – HMS Gloucester visits New York
Most cities will be installing EV infrastructure in the next year. But according to Momentum Dynamics CEO Andrew Daga, that infrastructure might be lacking a key component needed for broad EV adoption by consumers: passive charging systems. President Obama plans to have 1 million EVs on the road by 2015 driven mostly by consumers. Industry experts are beginning to question the consumer lead strategy.
Daga believes that wireless charging systems might be an important key in getting people to use EVs. He explains that the wireless charging systems that his company makes are easier to use. There’s no plugging in, no concern for weather or traffic accident damage and therefore, fewer maintenance costs. What’s more, the technology should be able to start your car for you and defrost your windows in the winter.
Read the entire article – TriplePundit
Momentum Dynamics was recently featured in Smart Grid Today, NJTC’s Tech News and Suburban Life Magazine.
Monies to be used in a beta test program with two Para transit vehicles installed with wireless battery charging system.
Malvern, PA, November 16, 2010—Momentum Dynamics Corporation, a clean tech company, has been awarded a grant valued at nearly $587,000 from the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection’s Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant program, Governor Rendell’s office announced today. The Governor commented that with this grant, Momentum Dynamics will develop a technology to be used in the Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority (BARTA) system that will recharge electric and plug- in vehicles wirelessly. The project is expected to create 18 jobs and cut CO2 admissions by 297,000 pounds annually.
Momentum Dynamics has a unique and proprietary technology system that allows electrically powered vehicles to be recharged without the use of a wire. The company’s first target market is commercial and fleet vehicles. “This is the first of a number of planned beta test trials around the country. Pennsylvania’s leadership role in advocating the wireless charging of electric vehicles will do three things: create jobs, demonstrate that home grown innovation is alive and well and free ourselves of dependence on foreign oil,” said Andy Daga, CEO of Momentum Dynamics.
The grant monies will be used to purchase two Para transit electric vehicles with wheel chair lifts which will have the Momentum Dynamics wireless battery charging technology installed in the vehicles and at a ground location to be determined. The company’s technology consists of an integrated suite of hardware and software that can be operated with any type of vehicle. It does not require a conductor to connect the vehicle to the power grid. “This grant allows the company to demonstrate that wireless electric vehicle charging is more effective than plug-in charging, especially for commercial and fleet operators who stand to save 75-80% of fuel costs,” Daga added.
Scott Anderson, author of the blog TheGreenSkeptic.com and a consultant to the clean tech, energy and environment sectors, commented, “One day not too long from now wireless electric vehicle charging will be as ubiquitous as smartphones and WiFi internet access. Momentum Dynamics is helping to make that day a reality.”
Dennis D. Louwerse, Executive Director/CEO of BARTA commented, “We are pleased to participate in this private-public partnership with Momentum Dynamics. This Electric Vehicle Recharging System, along with our Hybrid and Bio-Diesel Program, is consistent with our strategic plan.”
Momentum Dynamics was also a featured company presenter at the recent IMPACT venture capital conference held in Philadelphia in early November 2010. For more information about Momentum Dynamics and another beta test program at the Los Angeles International (LAX) airport, follow this link.
MOMENTUM DYNAMICS WINS $95,000 GRANT FROM CA ENERGY COMMISSION FOR WIRELESS ELECTRIC VEHICLE RECHARGING SYSTEM
Monies to be used for field testing of ground and vehicle components.
Malvern, PA – Momentum Dynamics Corporation, a clean tech company, announces that it has been awarded a grant valued at $95,000 from the CA Energy Commission, Energy Innovations Small Grant Transportation Program. The grant will pay for the prototype ground and vehicle components that will be installed in a rental car courtesy minibus in a beta test program at Los Angeles International (LAX) airport.
Momentum Dynamics is developing a unique and proprietary technology system that will permit electrically powered vehicles to be recharged without the use of a wire. Andy Daga, CEO and Principal Founder, commented, “Every major automaker is committed to bringing electric vehicles to market and commercial and fleet vehicle owners as well as passenger vehicle owners will profit greatly from the change from gasoline to electric. Momentum Dynamics aims to capture a significant portion of the emerging market for the charging technology that will be required to power these electric vehicles.”
The company’s technology consists of an integrated suite of hardware and software that can be operated with any type of vehicle. It does not require a conductor to connect the vehicle to the power grid. Mr. Daga added, “It is far more convenient and safer than plug‐in chargers and can be operated in any weather and without supervision so that charging is automatic. We are talking to rental car agencies in California and of course would welcome the opportunity to work with an airport rental car agency here in Philadelphia as well.”
Scott Anderson, author of the blog The Green Skeptic, is head of VerdeStrategy, a consulting and advisory firm focused on the clean tech, energy and environment sectors. He commented, “Momentum Dynamics is on the leading edge of electric vehicle recharging.Imagine a day when recharging an EV is as easy and available as E‐ZPass. Momentum Dynamics is helping to make that day a reality.” Most of the world’s automakers, as well as commercial‐duty vehicle manufacturers, are on the verge of mass‐marketing electric vehicles. Battery Electric (BEV) and Plug‐in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles promise remarkably lower operating costs, a quieter ride, and reduced emissions (no emissions from BEVs). According to Pike Research, the number of electric automobiles sold around the world will exceed 3 million by 2015. However, the fastest adoption of electric vehicles may be in the commercial market space where operators of large continuous‐duty vehicles are looking at the prospect of dramatically reduced fuel costs.
Imagine if a vehicle operator could just park over a charger, walk away, and have the vehicle charge itself! Adding safe, convenient charging to the EV model would increase the scale and rate of consumer acceptance.
Range anxiety, the concern over the limited miles per charge, forces drivers and fleet managers to coordinate their trips around the charging times required to get them where they need to go. Slow acceptance of EV’s in the marketplace has been directly linked to range anxiety. Imagine the freedom to boost the charge of a vehicle while idling at a planned pick-up stop or even a red light! Rather than stopping at a charging station to refuel (tomorrow’s version of a gas station), imagine having small, wireless parking-space charge stations conveniently available at route stops, work, or shopping centers. Cost-effective, easy to deploy “opportunity charging” points will go a long way in increasing vehicle range and eliminating anxiety.
Battery life, and the related replacement cost of $10k – $15K per passenger vehicle, is a major issue for automobile manufactures and consumers. Larger fleet vehicles, with larger batteries, can expect even higher replacement costs. A major negative influence on battery life is “deep discharge” – letting the charge get below approximately 10% of a capacity. Imagine the freedom of effortlessly receiving intermittent charges throughout the course of driving, to maintain a mid-range charge and extend battery life. By allowing the EV operator to maintain a higher level of battery charge, the “opportunity charging” deployments used to alleviate range anxiety will naturally increase battery life, and lower the overall cost on EV ownership.
In order to promote the acceptance of electric alternative fuel vehicles, fleet managers and passenger vehicle buyers must see that mileage range, cost of ownership and fueling effort are not significantly different than the petroleum based fuel model with which they are familiar. Early adaptors of electric alternate fuel vehicles have had to use the only charging available to them – slow, cumbersome, plug-in charging systems. Vehicle operators want chargers that support truly safe, efficient, money-saving charging.
Electric vehicle technology advances by the day. We hope you’ll visit this site regularly to see not only what we’re doing but what’s happening in the industry as well. These are exciting times. Come along for the ride with us.
Wireless charging technology is revolutionary because it can be operated automatically, allowing both commercial fleet and passenger‐class vehicles to be charged safely and effortlessly, in all weather, and without direct supervision.