Gothenburg pioneers high-power wireless charging for electric taxis
Gothenburg is once again leading the way in sustainable urban mobility. Since March 2022, a groundbreaking pilot project has been underway in the Gothenburg region, testing high-power wireless charging for a fleet of 20 electric taxi cars. The project is part of the Gothenburg Green City Zone, a collaborative effort between public, private, and academic sectors aiming to create emission-free urban transport.
The project equips fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge vehicles with inductive charging technology, allowing taxis to charge automatically and contactless when parked over a charging pad. Charging is quick and easy. No cables, cards, or apps required. The charging speed is around 40 kW and begins once the vehicle is aligned and authorized by the driver, and billing is handled seamlessly through pre-agreed terms. While charging, the driver can remain in the car with entertainment and climate control systems on. When a customer arrives, they can simply drive away.
“This is not just about technology. It’s about creating a charging experience that works for people,” says Anne Piegsa, Project Manager at Business Region Göteborg. “Drivers appreciate the convenience and automation. It’s a game-changer for commercial fleets.”
Three strategically located sites in Gothenburg offer inductive charging, each with two charging spots. The system has proven especially popular among drivers with previous experience of cable-based charging, who value the ease of use and automatic billing.
The project is more than a technical demonstration. It’s a reference for scaling up electrification in urban transport. By monitoring driver behavior and charging patterns, stakeholders gain insights into how infrastructure, pricing, and location affect adoption. Interviews with drivers reveal that while electricity cost matters, convenience and location are even more critical.
To meet growing demand, additional charging sites — both inductive and conductive — are needed. This ensures equitable access and supports the taxi sector’s role in public services, such as transport for elderly and disabled individuals.
“This is a strategic collaboration,” adds Piegsa. “Taxi services are vital to the community, and by electrifying them, we reduce emissions while maintaining mobility for those who need it most.”
The project started as a joint effort between Volvo Cars, Cabonline, InductEV, Vattenfall InCharge, Göteborg Energi, and Business Region Göteborg and is planned to be prolonged until August 2027. It demonstrates how cross-sector partnerships can accelerate the transition to climate-friendly transport solutions.
As cities worldwide look to decarbonize, Gothenburg’s wireless charging pilot offers a compelling model that balances innovation, urban planning, and social inclusion.
Gothenburg Green City Zone
The Wireless Chaging project is a part of the Gothenburg Green City Zone initiative. With the creation of Gothenburg Green City Zone we have opened up a live test zone in the heart of the city where testing solutions and learning togheter in an authentic environment is possible. A testbed where ideas flourish, opening up faster and more effective ways of making sustainable solutions achievable.