Plugless wireless charging system?

[EVBob]

Anyone on the waiting list/considering this?: https://www.pluglesspower.com/shop/bmw-i3-reservation-confirm/

 

[jadnashuanh]

I saw that, but my i3 is parked outside rather than in my garage, and I don't think the condo board would approve!

I think more and more cars will come with that built-in in the coming years...manually plugging things in is so old school! I don't know how good of a parking job you need to get things aligned, and I'm sure some people would have trouble with that. It can be fairly efficient, but it's not quite as good as a hardwired connection. Certainly more convenient. It would be neat if it was built into the roadways (one country is experimenting with that on a short stretch I read somewhere). Some people are just paranoid about magnetic fields, and those people would violently object.

 

[PluglessSteve]

Greetings - disclosure, I work for Plugless.

Alignment hasn't been reported as a major issue for our customers. in fact, most tell us that it's only when they focus on it that they have a greater chance of missing. Plugless allows 4 inches and even up to six inches of misalignment in any direction from center.

There are dynamic wireless charging programs all over the planet, including a test bed at ITIC (part of Clemson U.) - we are the Evatran in this announcement: http://www.itic-sc.com/itic-automotive-test-bed-offers-wireless-charging-as-a-service/

Charge onward,

Steve C.

 

[MikeS]

However, wireless charging is hugely inefficient and therefore costly!

 

[jadnashuanh]

However, wireless charging is hugely inefficient and therefore costly!

It doesn't have to be hugely inefficient, but that depends on the design and actual alignment accuracy plus the distance between the two components. It will never be as efficient as a direct, hard-wired connection, though, but certainly more convenient. It's one more thing to add weight to the vehicle, and, if you don't want to limit road clearance or worsen drag, will always be somewhat less efficient.

 

[I33t]

However, wireless charging is hugely inefficient and therefore costly!

That is my first question for plugless charging! Could be very inefficient and waste of power!

Looked at all the 'technical specs' on their website, and no efficiency details.

 

[brastic]

However, wireless charging is hugely inefficient and therefore costly!

That is my first question for plugless charging! Could be very inefficient and waste of power!

Looked at all the 'technical specs' on their website, and no efficiency details.

I also went to the specs of the web page looking for the efficiency. My guess is that it will be around 50% efficient just like wireless cell phone charging. For my cell phones, I really do not care that I waste 50% of the power to wireless charge. For a car, that would really add up. We will have to wait till real world products are out before we can get a good efficiency rating. I am doubtful, but hoping for the best.

 

[theothertom]

The linked article below gives a little bit of info. You may be able to get an estimate of charging efficiency for the article, especially if you know the battery size.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2017/04/27/bmw-wireless-charging-530e-2018-inductive-charging/

Also, from Wikipedia:
For example, the Magne Charge vehicle recharger system employs high-frequency induction to deliver high power at an efficiency of 86% (6.6 kW power delivery from a 7.68 kW power draw).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductive_charging

And
The results showed a power transfer rate of 6.9 kilowatts with efficiency greater than 85%.
https://faculty.washington.edu/dwhm/2016/03/11/is-wireless-electric-vehicle-charging-worth-the-cost/

And
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has made a recent breakthrough on that front that shows promise, with a proof-of-concept 20kW charger working at 90 percent efficiency
https://gizmodo.com/wireless-charging-for-electric-cars-is-nearly-useful-1769032403

Google efficiency of inductive charging for automobiles

 

[jadnashuanh]

Efficiency can exceed 90%, but is dependent on matching the coil sizes and minimizing their separation. https://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/technology/transfer-efficiency.html

Biggest hassle is you need ground clearance on a car, but if you could lower the coil while stopped and charging, you could increase the efficiency radically.

 

[brorob]

So what happens if my cat walks on the charging pad while the car is charging? :shock:

 

[jadnashuanh]

Probably nothing since it doesn't have an inductor in it (i.e., a coil).

 

[n1o2c3a4c5h6e7t]

Did anyone ever receive a Plugless wireless charger? What is the status of this company?

 

[JohnWasser]

Wireless charging would be great for me. I live in a condo. I don't know if the Board of Trustees will ever approve a charging station on a post near my parking spot and they certainly won't let me run a thick extension cord across the lawn and sidewalk. If the charging coil could be flush with the pavement (to allow unobstructed snow plowing) it might be unobtrusive enough to pass muster.

Of course, that means the coil in the car could have to be lowered for charging. An advantage to that is, as the coil is lowered it could also move horizontally to improve alignment and efficiency.

 

[alohart]

I live in a condo. I don't know if the Board of Trustees will ever approve a charging station on a post near my parking spot and they certainly won't let me run a thick extension cord across the lawn and sidewalk.

Hawaii passed a law that prevents condo boards and apartment complex owners from blocking the installation of an EV charging circuit if sufficient electrical capacity exists and the condo or apartment resident gets all necessary government, condo board, or apartment owner approvals, pays for the installation and maintenance of the circuit, and holds the condo association or apartment owner harmless should damage result. You might check whether your state has a similar law.

 

[JohnWasser]

Hawaii passed a law that prevents condo boards and apartment complex owners from blocking the installation of an EV charging circuit if sufficient electrical capacity exists and the condo or apartment resident gets all necessary government, condo board, or apartment owner approvals, pays for the installation and maintenance of the circuit, and holds the condo association or apartment owner harmless should damage result. You might check whether your state has a similar law.

Thanks for the suggestion. Looks like Massachusetts doesn't have such protections BUT BOSTON DOES:

https://www.lawmtm.com/boston-right-charge-electric-vehicles.html

On January 2, 2019, the Governor signed into law a Home Rule Petition for the City of Boston establishing the “right to charge” for condominium unit owners. The new law allows Boston condominium unit owners to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on or near their parking spaces, subject to reasonable restrictions which the condominium association may impose. The new law will take effect February 1, 2019.

That provides some good precedent, at least.