Wireless charging, or induction charging, is a technology allowing electricity to be transferred to an Electric Vehicle without a physical cable, via an electromagnetic field.
Specifically, an emitting coil is installed in the ground (in a car park or roadway), and a receiving coil is integrated into the vehicle. When the two are aligned, an alternating current creates a magnetic field that induces a current in the vehicle’s coil, enabling charging. While this solution offers a simplified user experience (no manual plugging in), it currently has a lower efficiency than wired charging and a higher infrastructure cost. It is primarily envisaged for specific applications: captive fleets, autonomous shuttles, electric buses, or even dynamic charging (while driving).
Pilot projects are underway to assess its relevance on a large scale, particularly in terms of efficiency, safety, and standardisation.