Electric cars to get wireless charging 26 | 10 | 2010

THE DAYS of running a cable from a powerpoint to the charging socket of your electric vehicle may soon disappear. Two of the world's leading automotive electrical companies are currently developing wireless electric charging systems for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles which would revolutionise the industry.

The two companies are working in tandem on a system which works by wirelessly charging a car over its energy source that sits on the garage floor, or is embedded in a paved parking spot.

The system — which neither company will indicate a "go-live" date for — also allows for more misalignment than inductive systems and can transfer power "efficiently over significantly larger distances" than conventional systems.

"Charging an electric car should be as easy as parking it in your garage or parking spot," WiTricity boss Eric Giler said. "Our WiTricity wireless system can already transfer over 3300 watts, which is enough to fully charge an electric car at the same rate as most residential plug sockets." And Delphi development boss Randy Sumner is equally positive about the developments.

"This is groundbreaking technology that could enable automotive manufacturers to integrate wireless charging directly into the design of their hybrid and electric vehicles" he said.

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Jim McGill