Revolutionizing Electric Vehicle Charging: The Wireless Future

A nationwide electric vehicle charging network is still in the development stage, but some automakers are exploring the potential of wireless EV charging. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) established official standards for this technology in 2020, and automakers are now discreetly conducting tests and prototypes. While the exact timeline and availability remain uncertain, there is a strong possibility that the technology will draw from the intellectual property licensed to Wiferon, the German wireless EV charging supplier acquired by Tesla in July 2023, based on technology from Massachusetts-based WiTricity.

According to sources WiTricity’s product serves as an alternative to the standard level 2 chargers commonly found in homes and public parking lots. It connects to a local power supply, resembling a familiar wall box. However, it doesn’t have to be mounted on the wall, offering flexibility in installation, it can be discreetly placed, even in a planter. With no visible cord emerging from the box, it minimizes visual clutter, creating a more aesthetically pleasing environment for communities transitioning to electric vehicles.

A conduit extends from the power box to a charging pad on the ground. When a vehicle parks over the pad, the charging process initiates. WiTricity demonstrated this with a retrofitted Ford Mustang Mach-E, equipped with an extra dash screen for testing purposes. The driver parked over the charging pad and initiated the charge via the extra screen. The main screen behind the wheel then indicated that the vehicle was charging. In a production-ready electric vehicle, the functionality would be seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s primary dash screens. This integration would automatically activate the front-facing camera to guide the driver into the optimal charging position when the vehicle is parked in the designated area.

The wireless charging process relies on magnetic resonance technology, where energy is transmitted from the pad to the vehicle through a magnetic field or between two magnetically coupled resonating coils, as described by IEEE. This enables wireless power transfer (WTP) from the pad on the ground to a receiver inside the vehicle. The receiver is an essential component that electric vehicle manufacturers need to install within their cars for wireless charging to function. Existing electric vehicle owners may require a retrofit to enable wireless charging.

Amy Barzdukas emphasizes the safety of this technology, stating that it is safe for pedestrians and pets, as it operates at frequencies far below those found in radio waves, passing through objects and the human body without harm.

WiTricity faces the challenge of dispelling the misconception that wireless charging is less efficient than corded charging, particularly in terms of charging speed. Barzdukas clarifies that this is not the case with their technology, and users don’t need to compromise when opting for wireless charging.