Science & Technology

Swedish Transportation Officials Visit USU's EVR Research Facility

Magnus Lindgren (left) and Jan Pettersson (right), of Sweden's Trafikverket met with USU’s Regan Zane and David Christensen to see the latest electrified vehicle and roadway research underway at Utah State University.

Authorities from the Swedish Transport Administration were in Logan on Sept. 18 to see the latest electrified vehicle and roadway research underway at Utah State University.

Jan Pettersson and Magnus Lindgren of Sweden’s Trafikverket met with USU’s Regan Zane and David Christensen for an up-close look at the Power Electronics Lab and Electric Vehicle & Roadway Research Facility and Test Track, known as EVR. The group also met with EVR Senior Engineer Ryan Bohm and students who are working on exciting innovations in electrified transportation. Zane said the meeting was an opportunity for both groups to exchange ideas and explore future collaborations.

“Sweden is known for many great things including its world-class transportation infrastructure,” said Zane, a USTAR professor of electrical and computer engineering at USU. “So it’s no surprise they would be interested in learning more about what we’re doing here at USU.”

Sweden was the first country in the world to develop a working section of electrified highway. The system features overhead cables that energize moving vehicles equipped with pantograph-style pickup arms. USU’s technology charges vehicles that are in motion through inductive charging using electric coils that are embedded into the roadway surface.

The visitors took a spin around the EVR test track on an all-electric bus that charges dynamically via wireless induction. Lindgren said it was the first time he had seen a wireless induction system in person.

The visit from the Swedish delegation comes just days before another major event for the EVR team. On Sept. 26 and 27, USU will host the second annual industry meeting for SELECT, the Sustainable Electrified Transportation Research Center. The meeting brings approximately 140 engineering researchers, transportation industry and government representatives from around the world to discuss the latest in sustainable electrified transportation research, technology, safety and public policy.

Related Link
Swedish officials visit USU Photo Gallery

Expert Contacts:
Regan Zane, regan.zane@usu.edu, office: +1-435-797-9118
David Christensen, david.christensen@usu.edu, office+1-435-797-9619 | cell +1-435-890-8269

For additional media assistance, contact: Matt Jensen – Director, Public Relations & Marketing, USU College of Engineering | matthew.jensen@usu.edu | office: +1-435-797-8170 | cell: +1-801-362-0830 | @EngineeringUSU | engineering.usu.edu  

Regan Zane (right) met with Swedish Transportation officials Jan Pettersson (left) and Magnus Lindgren. The meeting opened future collaboration between Sweden and Utah State.

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Sustainability 144stories USTAR 64stories

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