Wireless charging systems for EVs may appear in 2017

11th August 2015

Siobhan O'Gorman

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A number of auto makers claim that current conductive charging systems, with their cumbersome and heavy cables, are making plug-in hybrid and EVs difficult to sell. Wireless charging systems are being developed to make the charging experience more convenient for consumers and to encourage them to recharge their vehicles more often.

Strategy Analytics' Powertrain, Body, Safety & Chassis (Automotive Electronics) Service report, 2017: The "Important Year" For Wireless Charging In Electric Vehicles, discusses the progress in wireless charging developments and possible deployment strategies, before forecasting demand for wireless charging systems.

Technology providers believe that wireless charging systems will enter the EV market as early as 2017, saying that some OEMs have already implemented them in their next product cycle. The Society of Automotive Engineers hopes to have its J-2954 standards finalised as early as 2017, with the recommendations released as early as late-2016.

“While the selling point for wireless charging systems is undoubtedly beneficial to the promotion of plug-in hybrid and EVs, they will firstly be offered as costly optional purchase limited to mainly luxury auto brands, when they launch in 2017. Other challenges include the speed of finalising standards, since it is critical for wireless charging systems to be interoperable, in instances where the consumer buys a different brand of EV or when charging on public infrastructures,” said Kevin Mak, Senior Analyst, Automotive Electronics Service, Strategy Analytics. “Once the hurdles of cost and standardisation can be cleared after the first five years of deployment, then the long-term prospects could realise a mass market potential, with the possibility they could even displace conductive charging systems by 2028.”