How WiTricity makes charging electric cars easier
by Eric Cohen
If you have an EV, you probably already count the experience of charging as the key drawback to what is otherwise a great car. And if you don’t own an EV, the hassle of charging may well be a key reason that is holding you back. Charging with a cord or cable is inconvenient – they can be heavy and bulky, trip hazards, vandalized, and located in sketchy or out-of-the-way places where you really don’t want to get out of the car. And that’s before you add arms full of kids or backpacks, rainy weather, or snowbanks. WiTricity makes charging electric cars easier: simply park and charge™.
Charging electric: The evolution of wireless charging for EVs
Many people are familiar with the idea of charging devices without wires from their experiences with things like electric toothbrushes, wireless headphones, and smartphones themselves. But wireless charging for electric vehicles uses a different technology with the key difference: WiTricity’s solution enables the transfer of power over distance. In other words, unlike your phone that needs to be in contact with the charging pad, and exactly aligned, EVs can charge with the WiTricity Halo® charging just by parking over it – across the air gap. And it does so just as quickly as the plug,
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
The length of time to charge an electric vehicle varies widely depending on a variety of factors, but the biggest variability depends on the type of charger being used. There are three key types of charging in use today.
- Level 1 charging refers to the charger that comes with almost every electric vehicle. Also known as a “trickle” charger, it uses an ordinary 120-volt household outlet and adds between 3-5 miles of range per hour. If your car is routinely plugged in overnight, and your average travel per day is limited, this might be sufficient.
- Level 2 charging, significantly faster than Level 1 charging, is the most commonly used level for daily EV charging. It requires a 208-240 volt electrical connection (either a plug like you might see for an electric dryer, or a hardwired connection) and can add roughly 25-35 miles per hour. This usually means an EV vehicle plugged in overnight would be fully charged in the morning.
- DC Fast Charging is the 3rd type of charging available today. While it is the fastest type of charging available and can recharge an EV at a rate of 3-20 miles of range per minute, it is also the most expensive to install and maintain, and is the most demanding on the grid. It makes most sense for vehicles that are traveling long distances and is a good solution near highways.
So how fast is wireless charging? Today WiTricity’s 11 kW wireless charger is neck and neck with Level 2 charging with comparable speed and efficiency – but with the added ease and convenience of not having to deal with the plug.
Looking forward, wireless charging can also provide the opportunity for “power snacking™.” EV owners today don’t typically take advantage of public plug-in charging unless they’re going to be parked for some time – it’s not worth the hassle. But when you can simply park to initiate charging, you can imagine a world where every stop in your daily routine is a top-off. Begin your morning with a full battery and keep it that way with snacks throughout the day. Wireless charging becomes your convenient “range extender” by making car charging easier … and more convenient.
Cordless charging station vs. EV charging station: What you need to know.
The majority of wired chargers are inaccessible for those who are disabled. From the weight of the cable to a lack of dropped curbs to unsuitable parking, public wired charging stations are difficult to access and difficult to use. Even in a private home, people with physical limitations may find the plug to be a challenge – or see the cord itself as a potential trip hazard. The ability to simply park and begin charging wirelessly eliminates any such struggles.
Wireless charging is safer, more convenient, and accessible.
WiTricity’s EV wireless charging
WiTricity is a complete, end-to-end system that provides industry-standard, interoperable wireless charging. This video shows how easy it is to charge an electric car – wirelessly. Making this all possible is our patented magnetic resonance technology, which is the foundation of our overall solution. To learn how charging electric cars is changing by going wireless, contact us.
Additional Resource:
Learn how fast, safe, and efficient wireless EV charging is a technology that’s proven and is being deployed:
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