Let's Get Technical! October 2016

Wireless Charging:  Seamless and Effortless Battery Charging

​As with most of the technologies associated with Plug-In and Electric Vehicles, the battery pack charging technologies are changing with blazing speed.  Currently, the conductive (cable plug-in) systems are marching toward ever-higher charging rates.  With most SAE and CHAdeMO conductive Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) systems capable of 50kW – 100kW power, Wireless Charging is now beginning to gain traction in the vehicle battery charging market.  Wireless Charging systems have obvious advantages by not requiring a vehicle operator to make a direct connection between the charging station and the vehicle.  Electric vehicles can have a vehicle pad mounted under the vehicle so it can receive power after the vehicle is driven over the base pad to initialize Wireless Charging.  The vehicle or your smart phone will assist in positioning the vehicle pad with the base pad. However, currently Wireless systems are not capable of delivering the level of kW power when compared to conductive systems.  For example, the Qualcomm HALO system can currently provide 3.7kW, 7.4kW, 11kW, and 22kW Wireless Charging. 

​The Wireless Charging system has one significant advantage when compared to conductive charging systems – it can be located within a road or street to permit quick charging when a vehicle is within range.  As an example, Wireless Charging is perfect for electric buses.  When the bus has stopped to pick-up passengers at a bus stop location, the bus can charge while it is taking on passengers.  Also, the bus can charge when the driver is on a rest break.  Having Wireless Charging locations along a bus route, it eliminates the necessity of returning the bus to the depot to be charged at a conductive charging station which, is a significant advantage and convenience.

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Register for Training Related to Electric Drive Vehicle Charging:

Level 1, 2, 3 Plug-In and Electric Vehicle On-Board Charging Systems and Chargers (3-Part Online Training Series)

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Author

Dr. Mark Quarto
CTO, FutureTech Auto LLC