Imagine a future where electric vehicles are
the norm. Drivers are returning home, parking
in their garages and their cars recharge
wirelessly overnight – thanks to a panel
located on the garage floor hooked up to the
home electrical system.
This could be the future as Hyundai-Kia
America Technical Center (HATCI) and Mojo
Mobility, a wireless power company, have
been funded by the U.S. Department of
Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy (EERE), Vehicle
Technologies (VT) program to develop such
technology.


HATCI and Mojo Mobility developed,
implemented and will demonstrate the
wireless power transfer system on a test fleet
of 2015 Kia Soul EV over three phases.
Phase One saw the power system operate
with 85 percent grid-to-vehicle energy
efficiency, capable of transferring in excess of
10 kW to the vehicle while charging. The
system allows for misalignment between the
energy transmitter on the ground and the
energy receiver on the vehicle, for ease of
use.

Phase Two testing saw 92 percent energy
efficiency after integrating a compact system
optimized for the Soul EV.
That much improvement in efficiency could be
game changing.


Inductive charging is known for low energy
efficiency, waste heat, slow charging times
and expensive price tags. But at 92 percent
energy efficiency, this new system blows the
Magne Charge inductive charging system out
of the water, which tops out at 86 percent
energy efficiency (6.6 kW delivery from a 7.68
kW power draw).


Real-world performance data will be gathered
in the third and final phase of the project
using five Kia Soul EVs and corresponding
energy transmission units. The final phase will
test the system’s durability, interoperability,
safety and performance.
Testing facilities are located at HATCI
in Superior Twp., Michigan and Mojo Mobility
in Santa Clara, California.


KMA and Mojo Mobility have not yet
announced when the system will be available
for purchase.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments
below.

So sweet