Mitsubishi, makers of the all-electric mass-market MiEV, are on a mission to make charging electric cars easier than ever. The Japanese automaker has formed a partnership with WiTricity Corporation and IHI Corporation to develop wireless charging systems for electric cars. Mitsubishi are hoping to ultimately make plug-in charging obsolete.
WiTricity and IHI are two major players in wireless charging and electric infrastructure and it is hoped they can make it easier for drivers, governments and companies to roll out systems to charge cars without plugging in. There is also scope to add wireless charging services to places such as shopping centre car parks as well as homes and offices.
Wireless systems transfer energy from a source placed on or under the ground to a vehicle fitted with an energy capture device. Charging happens automatically when the car is parked with no physical contact between the car and the charging source.
This may sound a bit futuristic but the technology is already here with WiTricity having developed and brought to the market a patented magnetic resonance charging system. It can deliver 3.3kW of charging power over a distance of 20cm safely and easily.
The three companies have a plan of research, development, real-world testing and finally bringing to the world mass-market wireless car charging. Steps will include finding easy ways to incorporate wireless charging into existing EV charging infrastructure, clarifying any legal issues as well as testing the technology out in practical scenarios.
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