Volvo has begun testing wireless vehicle charging capabilities with a fleet of their electric XC40 Recharge SUVs in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Over the next three years, this fully-electric fleet will serve Caboline, the largest taxi operator in the Nordic region. In total, Volvo expects these cars to see action more than 12 hours a day, accumulating approximately 100,000 km (62,000 miles) per year, making this the first durability test of a commercially-used Volvo electric vehicle.

The charging stations operate similar to the wireless device chargers found more and more commonly inside newer models; the vehicle parks in a special charging station with a charging pad built into it. A receiver inside the car picks up the vehicle and begins charging. In order to easily align the vehicle with the station, Volvo will utilize it's vehicle-borne 360-degree camera system.

In the case of the XC40 Recharge, the wireless charging station can provide speeds of more than 40 kW, almost as fast as a wired 50 kW DC fast charger. These stations are delivered by Momentum Dynamics, a leading provider of wireless electric charging systems.

Volvo believes using a real city as a testing ground will enable the company to better develop their technologies, and build upon them much faster, in the areas of electrification, shared mobility, autonomous driving, connectivity and safety.