OLEV project being tested out in february 2009
all images ctnt korea

KAIST (korea advanced institute of science and technology) has developed
a revolutionary electric vehicle that takes its power from cables beneath the road
rather than relying on batteries. a demonstration event was held on august 13th

nowadays various models of electric vehicles designed to replace the internal
combustion automobiles face significant problems, as they invariably fail to overcome
the limitations involving lithium battery in terms of power capacity, weight, raw
material price, recharging time and preparation of charging stations. worst of all,
the limited supply of lithium will eventually raise its price sky high when all cars use
lithium batteries, and the economic value of electric cars will be lost.

KAIST' s project known as OLEV (online electric vehicle) seeks to resolve these
fundamental problems involving electric vehicles that have so far been developed.
OLEV is a project to develop a new growth engine for the nation and lead the future
of global automotive industry, is an entirely new concept: the electric vehicle picks
up power from underground power supplier lines through the non-contact magnetic
charging method, while either running or standing. this is the first eco-friendly
and economic automotive system that can resolve the problems inherent to previously
developed electric vehicles, according to the KAIST OLEV project center.



OLEV project being tested surrounded by onlookers

in february 2009, KAIST researchers first proved that up to 80 percent power conveyance
is possible through a gap of 1 centimeter from the power line, and in july they successfully
supplied power to a bus - up to 60 percent across a 12 cm gap from the power line x
embedded in the ground - using power supply and pick-up devices they developed.
in this process, KAIST has secured the core technologies for maximizing power efficiency
and minimizing the cost of installing the non-contact power supply system. KAIST has
established the online electric vehicle co., ltd., to undertake business activities related to
the OLEV project, including the ipr on power supply and pick-up devices, parts and accessories
and commercial promotion.


OLEV project being tested out in february 2009

the impact of the development of the OLEV technology on the energy and environment
issues and the overall economy will be enormous. in case a half of the total automobiles
running in korea, or 6 million vehicles, are replaced with olev, electric power produced
by just two of the nation's atomic power plants will be enough to operate them all,
and the nation will be able to reduce crude oil import by 35 million barrels worth
3 billion USD a year (supposing 80 USD per barrel).

korea's export of OLEV units will in the future surpass the present level of overseas
sale of conventional cars. when nations use online electric vehicles in large numbers,
their demand for co2-free power plants will grow.

korea still shares a small portion of the world's automobile market estimated to worth
some 2,000 trillion korean won. but commercialization of the OLEV technology worldwide
will greatly enhance korea's global automotive market share. successful development
of the online electric vehicle requires preemptive investment and positive support by
the government for the ultimate purpose of resolving energy and environment problems.


what the OLEV model will look like


how the car will be powered by underground cables