Volkswagen on Tuesday confirmed that it is working on wireless electric car charger in its own patented charging coil and base design in silicon-carbide material, partly aimed at everyday garage use.
However, the project goes far beyond that—to the point that fees are currently among the highest in DC’s fast-charging territory.
According to Volkswagen, their initial effort is in the form of an initial 6.6 kW prototype, which will operate at the same charge as a Level 2 (240-volt) system in the home. But in early tests in conjunction with a silicon carbide inverter, the system performed up to 120 kW with a prototype unit. VW has a future goal of upgrading the system to 300 kW.
Mahle Wireless Charger
So far, the commercialization of wireless charging has mainly been geared towards home use. There are only a handful of high power systems in use or development, and most of them are targeted for use in larger commercial vehicles. An exception is one check wireless charging taxi in Norway from Momentum Dynamics (InductEV).
U.S. development of this Volkswagen system is underway at VW’s Knoxville Innovation Center, in conjunction with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee (UT). It leverages the expertise of two academic institutions with high-powered wireless charging and electro-electronic optimization respectively.
In addition to introducing future hands-free charging technology to its vehicles, VW brags that the material work being done in conjunction with the UT could help increase the driving range of future EVs. VW suggests that it could frame the EV battery pack that would reduce weight by 60% using a 3D-printed plastic-based structure. According to VW, this material can offer superior strength and energy absorption compared to steel.
VW . wireless charging technology
VW also showed the possibility of using paper products (a thermoplastic reinforced with hot-pressed cellulose fibers) to replace plastic in some areas of the vehicle. Furthermore, it revealed US-based research into lightweight materials that could be used in “pickup beds and sturdy components” for future products. In a process known as “sizing”, it is working to optimize the fiber matrix interface in sheet molding compound (SMC) processes for better strength. It kicked off that project by producing a lightweight version of the VW Atlas tailgate that saves 13 pounds (35%) over metal.
VW Type 20 Microbus Concept wheel is made with innovative design
This type of specialized design approach to saving weight is associated with General design methodology based on AI that VW has been working on in recent US-based concepts and research—including 20 . type microbus concept that the company’s U.S. branch grew while ID.Buzz tram taking shape in Germany.
Just as many of these cutting-edge materials start with high-end vehicles and supercars, don’t necessarily expect any of these technologies—including wireless charging—to make their way into vehicles. VW’s most affordable electricity. But VW mentioned that these US researchers work with all Volkswagen Group brands, including Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche and VW, and especially that wireless charging could soon prove great fit for an EV with enough cushioning built into the price tag.
