WiTricity expands development for inductive charging
Wireless charging specialist WiTricity has opened a new development and testing laboratory for inductive charging systems in the US state of Florida. The focus there is on passenger cars, and vehicles ranging from light electric vehicles to heavy duty applications for autonomous vehicles, and fleets.
At its Stuart centre, WiTricity will adapt, test, and validate existing inductive charging systems for specific vehicle platforms and applications. The focus is on systems with charging power ranging from 7.2 to 50 kW. Target applications include battery-electric cars, autonomous vehicles and robotaxis, last-mile fleets, as well as integration projects by automakers and suppliers. In this setup, a receiver is mounted on the vehicle’s underbody, while energy is transferred via a ground-based charging pad through magnetic coupling.
WiTricity sees a particular advantage for autonomous vehicles. Robotaxis could charge at equipped parking spaces without anyone needing to plug in a connector. However, the company remains vague in its announcement and does not name any specific robotaxi customers or new series projects. Details on the investment amount, size, or additional capacities of the new lab are also missing.
WiTricity has been developing inductive charging systems for years, from bus fleets to passenger cars and more recently, light electric vehicles, such as golf carts. The company has showcased, among other things, a Tesla Model 3 and a Ford Mustang Mach-E equipped with up to 11 kW charging power. In 2023, electrive reported that ABT e-Line and WiTricity were aiming to offer inductive charging for electric cars in the European aftermarket, including for VW’s ID. 4. The new lab primarily serves to adapt existing technology for further applications and integrate it into vehicles.
“The future of electric mobility will not be defined by a single vehicle class or power level,” said Joe Benz, CEO of WiTricity. “From passenger cars and robotaxis to the heavy-duty fleets that keep commerce moving, charging must become an automatic part of the vehicle’s normal routine. Our Stuart lab is built to help make that future practical.”
According to WiTricity, it still offers systems with 75 kW and more for heavy-duty vehicles and machinery. Possible applications mentioned by the company include buses as well as vehicles operating in ports, airports, and logistics. Whether the increased focus on autonomous vehicles and fleets will lead to concrete, larger-scale series projects remains open for now.