Wireless charging, powered by magnetic resonance technology invented by WiTricity’s founders, makes EV charging easy, transparent, and hands-free for drivers, automakers, and infrastructure managers. This technology innovation is particularly relevant for the huge growth in EVs that is occurring. This moment comes as automakers commit to electrifying their fleets, battery costs continue to come down, and governments across the globe push new climate change initiatives that encourage e-mobility.
As automakers add wireless charging of the propulsion battery pack into their vehicles, it will allow consumers to no longer worry about visiting the gas pump or plugging in a charging cable—so they can simply park their vehicle over a wireless charging pad and walk away—with no driver interaction necessary. The technology delivers the same high efficiency and charge rate as Level 2 plug-in charging. New global standards will allow electric cars of any maker to charge automatically and safely at public wireless charging spots in parking lots, parking garages, and at home.
The unmatched convenience of wireless power will not only help fuel the mass adoption of EVs, but it is a critical component for the future of mobility, where autonomous and shared cars must operate and recharge without a human to plug them in. Wireless charging will ultimately be embedded into taxi queues and bus stops, which will allow vehicles to “opportunity charge” when they pause along their routes.
The INCIT-EV Project, for example, is deploying several demonstrations across Europe that showcase the short- and long-term potential of wireless charging technology. One of which, in Zaragoza, Spain, will bring the idea of in-route charging to life. In coordination with CIRCE, a sustainable development technology centre, INCIT-EV will install wireless charging pads in a taxi queue, so that the taxis can be recharged while they are waiting in line to pick up passengers.
Wireless charging is, undoubtedly, a major key to enabling a future of e-mobility around the world. As this important transitional time in the growth of e-mobility, we will continue to see further adoption and new use cases for wireless charging.
