A step closer to dynamic charging and cost-effective plug-ins
Wireless EV charging.
Less batteries, more dynamic charging
Several years ago I predicted the automotive revolution would begin in 2010, the year I believed lithium would very cost-effectively replace NiMH batteries.
I was wrong.
Without major technological breakthroughs, unfortunately, lithium-ion technologies simply aren’t cost-effective according to a plethora of battery experts – unless dynamic charging were realistic.
Fortunately, dynamic charging just became a bit more realistic thanks to a Delphi Automotive agreement with WiTricity Corp.
Sure, WiTricity’s wireless charging technology offers nowhere near the capabilities needed to dynamically charge electric cars. While WiTricity’s wireless technology can charge without wires up to several meters, it only transmits that power around as quickly as a standard plug.
Obviously, that’s just not dynamic enough.
Nevertheless, this technology can still help make batteries more compelling, and possibly even more cost-effective. For instance, consumers are not going to want to, or remember to, plug-in regularly. With WiTricity’s technology plugging in quickly becomes a thing of the past.
Of course, that alone isn’t going to make plug-ins much more cost cost-effective, but it could still help.
Based on today’s battery limitations, small battery plug-ins offer the most cost-effectiveness. Consequently, a 50 mpg Prius might cost-effectively be increased to a 70+ mpg plug-in Prius, as long as plugged-in regularly. Yet, I’d bet most consumers will think of plugging in as a burden just to increase fuel economy by only 20 mpg.
Instantly, wireless charging resolves that issue.
Now, if we can only make battery charging just as instant via this wireless system, then the plug-in game becomes cost-effective, even without any major battery breakthrough.
