Wireless induction charging will soon be a reality and Volvo has just released the results of a study on the new technology.
Anyone who’s ever driven an electric car or plug-in hybrid knows how annoying it is to deal with the long cord when it’s time to recharge. Wireless induction charging will soon be a reality and Volvo has just released the results of a study on the new technology.
Inductive charging uses an electromagnetic field instead of a cord to transfer energy between two objects. The same technology is used to recharge that electric toothbrush in your bathroom. An induction coil creates an alternating electromagnetic field from a charging base station. A second induction coil in the portable device picks up power from the electromagnetic field and converts it back into an electrical energy that charges the battery.
Volvo has recently studied the possibilities of inductive charging for electric vehicles and according to Volvo the results show that this technology for transferring energy via an electromagnetic field has a promising future.
“Inductive charging has great potential. Cordless technology is a comfortable and effective way to conveniently transfer energy. The study also indicates that it is safe,” says Lennart Stegland, vice president, electric propulsion system at Volvo Car Group, and adds “There is not yet any common standard for inductive charging. We will continue our research and evaluate the feasibility of the technology in our hybrid and electric car projects.”
“The tests demonstrated that our Volvo C30 Electric can be fully charged without a power cable in about two and a half hours. In parallel with this, we have also conducted research into slow and regular charging together with Inverto, which was also a partner in the project,” says Lennart Stegland.
Source: Volvo
