Trends in Wireless Charging

[larry4pyro]

Article from SAE discussing trends in wireless charging of EVs. We've already seen wireless chargers for the Volt that lay on your garage floor, but how about wireless chargers embedded in the floor of parkings spaces at commercial establishments at work, or even in roadways to charge your EV while waiting at stop lights. The holy grail of wireless charging is charging while you drive via a high power system embedded in the road. If wireless charging becomes viable, it's impact on EVs could mean smaller and therefore cheaper, batteries.

http://www.sae.org/mags/aei/11035

[Dan & Nan]

The holy grail of wireless charging is charging while you drive via a high power system embedded in the road. If wireless charging becomes viable, it's impact on EVs could mean smaller and therefore cheaper, batteries.

I saw something about that a few years ago. It seems like a great solution if it can be implemented.

[MTN Ranger]

The four main players are Witricity, Evatran Plugless Power, Qualcomm Halo, and Momentum Dynamics. Of all, Plugless Power is the closest to a retail product (available this year). There will be strategic arrangements with the auto manufacturers - some are already lined up. Expect highend EV adoption first - BMW, Infiniti, etc.

Efficiency should not be a problem, Evatran's aftermarket solution already is around 92-94%. OEM installation at the factory will increase it to 97% - comparable to wired J1772 240V EVSEs.

The players are working with the standards board currently to devise an industry standard. Without this, I see adoption issues due to incompatibilities.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[banadictaustin]

The type of power supply asking for that we are used to is known as wire charging or conductive charging. I think the advantage of wireless charging are that it is safe, efficient and convenient. Technological innovation wireless charging, transfers power with a rate greater than 90% efficiency.

[DonC]

I'd pay something for it just not sure how much. What has surprised me is that my uber-organized wife forgets with some frequency to plug her EV in. She remembers to open the charge door but then forgets the plug in part. If she forgets then I'm sure that wireless charging will definitely help keeping vehicles charged.

[baragona]

The idea of an electric freeway has always got me excited.

Anyone who has driven the bumper cars at the fair, or had an electric race set as a kid knows that this is technologically possible.

The economics of it is a different story. That may not happen in our lifetimes....

Stationary charging is a whole different animal. I see this becoming a legitimate solution before the end of the decade.....

[truckboy]

Actually this is done with the help of charging station, Power is sent through Inductive Coupling to device which can be used to charge batteries.