Wireless charging technology has long been a concept of the future, often depicted in science fiction movies and books. However, with the recent advancements in technology, this once far-fetched idea is now becoming a reality for electric vehicles (EVs).

As the demand for clean and sustainable energy grows, the automotive industry is continuously seeking new and innovative ways to power EVs. With concerns about range anxiety and the inconvenience of traditional charging methods, the development of wireless charging systems for EVs has gained significant attention.

This groundbreaking technology eliminates the need for cords and plugs, providing a seamless and effortless charging experience.

In this article, we will explore how wireless charging for EVs is becoming feasible and the implications it may have on the future of transportation.

From the technology behind it to the potential benefits and challenges, we will delve into all aspects of this emerging trend and its potential impact on the automotive industry and the environment.

May No Longer Require Physical Cords

In the near future, plug-in cars may no longer require physical cords for recharging. A breakthrough known as wireless EV charging allows electric car drivers to conveniently park in designated spaces, activate the charging process with a simple dashboard signal, and then continue with their daily activities.

Numerous pioneering startups have dedicated significant time and effort to bring this wireless charging technology into the mainstream. With the increasing adoption of electric vehicles, there is growing momentum to realize the vision of a cordless charging experience.

Companies are aligning around standardized technology, automakers are conducting wireless experiments, and municipalities are exploring various use cases. Even Tesla Inc., a prominent player in the electric vehicle market, has shown interest in wireless charging.

However, there are still significant challenges to overcome. The primary obstacles include the relatively slow charging speeds of wireless technology and the substantial investment required to build charging stations and garner support from more car manufacturers.

While the concept of cord-free charging is appealing in theory, it faces a similar conundrum to the deployment of public charging infrastructure: heightened consumer demand could encourage car companies to embrace wireless charging, but the growth in electric vehicle adoption is partially hindered by concerns surrounding public charging accessibility.

Hesitant to Incorporate

According to Michael Weismiller, program manager for electrification R&D in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, car manufacturers may be hesitant to incorporate wireless charging technology in vehicles due to the lack of infrastructure. He believes that for wireless charging to be viable, both the charging infrastructure and the vehicles need to be deployed simultaneously.

Wireless EV charging, also known as inductive road charging, utilizes magnetic resonance and a charging pad to create a power-transmitting field. When a receiver coil underneath the car aligns with a secondary coil in the charging pad, the receiver captures the energy and transfers it to the car's battery.

This technology is similar to wireless phone charging but can operate with a separation distance of up to 10 inches.

However, the speed of wireless charging remains a challenge. Most wireless chargers offer similar charging rates to Level 2 chargers, which are commonly used at home, but fall short of the faster direct current (DC) chargers found at public stations.

Additionally, electric vehicles need to be designed with wireless charging in mind, as retrofitting can potentially void the battery warranty.

For car manufacturers, implementing wireless charging is currently difficult to justify. It is an expensive endeavor, and the lack of charging stations makes it less appealing to potential car buyers.

Alex Gruzen, CEO of WiTricity Corp. based in Massachusetts, states that their wireless charging capability would cost automakers several hundred dollars per car and consumers at least $2,500 initially. However, he anticipates these costs to decrease over the next five years.

Predominantly Limited

Currently, the adoption of wireless EV charging is predominantly limited to pilot projects due to various obstacles. While some automakers in China and South Korea are exploring the technology for new passenger cars, most wireless-charging trials are focused on commercial vehicles.

These trials are particularly beneficial for commercial vehicles as they typically follow consistent routes and have the convenience of overnight charging in fixed parking spaces.

Loren McDonald, the founder and CEO of EVAdoption, an electric vehicle analyst firm, explains that chargers can be strategically deployed at specific locations along the routes throughout the day. This approach allows for efficient charging and uninterrupted operations for commercial vehicles.

WiTricity, a prominent wireless charging company, plans to introduce its Halo wireless system on E-Z-GO and ICON EV golf carts and light vehicles this summer. The company has already demonstrated the technology on retrofitted vehicles like Ford's Mustang Mach-E.

With investors such as Mitsubishi Corp. and Siemens AG, WiTricity has also partnered with South Korea's KG Mobility to showcase wireless charging on their cars. According to WiTricity, their technology provides up to 35 miles of charge per hour for passenger cars.

Utilizes Inductive Systems

The Antelope Valley Transit Authority in Los Angeles County utilizes electromagnetic induction or the inductive systems manufactured by Wave Charging to power their fleet of electric buses. These buses benefit from 15 Wave wireless charging stations strategically placed across their routes.

James Royal, the Marketing Director at AVTA, reveals that a five-minute charge using their 250-kilowatt chargers adds an average of 10 miles of driving range to the buses. Benjamin Auslander, Wave's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, emphasizes that this technology enables the buses to operate throughout the day without returning to a depot.

Wave has successfully deployed over 50 charging pads in North America and is currently working on a 500-kilowatt fast charger for trucks with the support of a DOE grant.

Indianapolis has also embraced wireless charging for its electric buses, which are provided by Chinese EV company BYD Co. In collaboration with Pennsylvania-based charging startup InductEV (formerly known as Momentum Dynamics Corp.), the city implemented wireless charging in 2019.

Working on Several Projects

Hevo Inc., a wireless charging startup based in Brooklyn, New York, is working on several projects in partnership with esteemed organizations. They are collaborating with the DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Stellantis NV to trial a 50-kilowatt wireless system on the carmaker's Chrysler Pacifica hybrid.

Additionally, Hevo is developing a 300-kilowatt wireless fast charger in partnership with Oak Ridge, as stated by CEO Jeremy McCool.

Actively Pursuing Its Own Version

In a significant indication of the potential of wireless charging for passenger cars, Tesla's design chief Franz von Holzhausen revealed in December that the company is actively pursuing its own version of the technology. During an interview on "Jay Leno's Garage," von Holzhausen stated, "We are working on inductive charging, so you don't even need to plug something in at that point - just pull in your garage, drive over the pad and it's charging."

This affirmation from Tesla has generated considerable interest among other automakers, prompting them to take wireless charging more seriously. According to industry expert McCool, Tesla's endorsement has acted as a "major wake-up call," transforming wireless charging from a fringe technology into a trending one.

The Adoption of Wireless Charging

To further accelerate the adoption of wireless charging, standardization plays a crucial role. In 2022, SAE International, an association of engineers and technical transport experts, finalized the first standard for stationary wireless charging for light-duty vehicles, encompassing passenger cars.

This standard encompasses vital aspects such as safe charging speed, interoperability, and performance.

"This standardization now enables the construction of apartment-building chargers and allows parking lots, street parking, and other public infrastructure to adopt wireless charging from specialized companies," explains Gruzen. Consequently, automakers can focus on designing compatible vehicles, knowing that a standardized charging infrastructure is in place.

In addition to light-duty vehicles, SAE has also published guidelines, although not final standards, for heavy-duty vehicles to charge wirelessly at speeds of up to 500 kilowatts. The Department of Energy (DOE) has already established agreements to demonstrate this technology on a UPS route in Utah and at various Walmart locations.

"Ultimately, it will be the truckmakers and carmakers who need to evaluate the viability of wireless charging for their respective vehicles," states Weismiller.

Predominant Focus

Currently, the predominant focus of investment lies in traditional electric vehicle (EV) chargers, although there is a growing push from federal and state lawmakers in the United States for grants to support the expansion of wireless charging infrastructure. The Department of Energy (DOE) reports that there are presently over 9,000 public fast-charging stations and more than 53,000 Level 2 stations in the U.S., with additional stations expected to be established as states begin deploying $5 billion in federal funding.

However, experts assert that advancements in car technology, particularly autonomous driving, may bolster the case for wireless charging. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is presently developing a standardized method for aligning EVs with charging pads, which will prove crucial when vehicles begin driving and parking autonomously.

Not The Ultimate Goal

Furthermore, wireless charging on a pad is not the ultimate goal. The SAE intends to update its light-duty autonomous vehicle standard to incorporate bidirectional charging, enabling EVs to supply power transfer levels or power levels back to the grid.

WiTricity, a wireless charging technology company, plans to launch its bidirectional charging components later this year, targeting automakers as potential customers.

The SAE is also in the process of developing technical guidelines for "dynamic inductive charging," which refers to the ability to charge EVs without plugging them in while in motion. This technology, which has the potential to transform streets into charging pads, is still in its early stages.

Israeli company Electreon conducted tests for dynamic charging on a quarter-mile road segment in Detroit last year. Chrysler Halcyon Concept EV, scheduled for production in 2028 and developed by Stellantis, is set to feature dynamic wireless charging capability.

In Conclusion

As technology continues to advance and improve, we can expect to see more feasible wireless charging options for EVs in the near future. With the potential to greatly enhance convenience and accessibility for EV owners, this technology could greatly accelerate the shift towards sustainable transportation.

It is an exciting development in the world of electric vehicles and one that will continue to be closely monitored and improved upon by industry leaders and innovators. As we continue to strive towards a more sustainable future, wireless charging for EVs is a promising step in the right direction.

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