One of the next steps on the way to perfect electric drive and plug-in hybrid vehicles is wireless battery charging. Daimler and BMW have now agreed on jointly developing and implementing one common technology.
Wireless charging of the battery will make the handling of electric drive and plug-in hybrid vehicles even easier. Mercedes-Benz will commence fleet testing of this “unplugged” technology with the S 500 Plug-in hybrid soon, in order to develop a real S-Class solution in recharging the high voltage battery in terms of comfort and ease of operating in the near future.
The system consists of two components: a secondary coil integrated into the under tray of the car and a primary coil integrated into a floor plate that can be placed on a garage floor for instance. Electrical energy is transmitted contact-free without the need for a cable, at a power rate of 3.6 kW and with a degree of efficiency of 90 percent.
Wireless charge.
Trials of the cordless charging system with BMW’s high-tech i8 sports car have allowed a full charge in less than two hours, and with a charge-rate of 3.6 kilowatts, BMW says an average hybrid can be charged in less than three hours.
With further development, a rate of up to 7kW could be permitted, cutting charge times even further.
A WiFi connection between the charge point and the car assists the driver with positioning the vehicle easily, and once parked, charging starts at the touch of a button.
While the vehicle is refuelling, its charge-status and time to full-charge can be monitored remotely with the use of a smart-phone application.
