Why Wireless
The Future is Wireless
Nearly all charging is done by plugging your car into a charger with a cable. It works, but it could be so much better.
We think wireless charging is to electric vehicles what a remote control is to a TV. Better and easier – it takes the hassle out of things so that everyone can benefit.
How does Wireless Charging Work?
Instead of transferring power to the vehicle battery via a cable, wireless systems use induction charging to achieve the same thing. High-frequency alternating current is supplied to a groundpad (primary coil), producing a magnetic field. This is picked up by a car pad (secondary coil) located on the vehicle’s underside. This magnetic field is then converted to direct current and fed into the vehicle battery.
Wireless charging is virtually as efficient as plug-in charging when measured from grid to vehicle.
Below are some of the comparisons between the two charging methods.
Plug-In
Requires heavy cables which need storing in the vehicles. The cables get wet, dirty, driven over and damaged.
Exposes drivers to the risk of accidents when walking around vehicles to plug in, especially in fleet depots.
Risk of vandalism due to tethered cables on higher-powered chargers being stolen for their metal content.
- Often linked singularly to charging equipment, resulting in lots of unsightly street clutter and trip hazards.
Difficult to use for those with physical disabilities.
Wireless
Cable-free, meaning no dirty cables that break and cause trip hazards.
Extremely convenient and easy to use, accelerating the EV adoption rate.
Promotes vehicle-to-grid (V2G) connectivity engagement as the vehicle can participate even when not charging.
Safer for the driver as there is no need to exit the vehicle or wait in poorly hazardous areas.
- Accessible for all drivers as charging can be initiated without leaving the vehicle.
Suitable for multiple locations, such as taxi ranks, when vehicles are only stationary for short periods.
Really, the only viable solution for autonomous vehicles when there is no driver to plug in.
So why isn’t Wireless Charging More Widespread?
One answer is that wireless charging takes place at a frequency of 85kHz – that’s 1700 times higher than the grid in most places. It’s difficult to send this high-frequency electricity over long distances without a significant voltage drop, so many companies struggle to deliver a scalable, cost-effective version of wireless charging infrastructure.
That’s until Electric Green came up with the solution.