BMW Previews Wireless Charging Technology for 'i' Cars
BMW wants to cut the cable when it comes to charging its i3 and i8 models.
The German automaker has previewed its wireless inductive charging technology that it’s currently developing, ultimately allowing owners to charge their BMW electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids without having to plug them in. Utilizing an inductive coil placed on the floor of a garage or driveway, the system creates an electromagnetic field that excites a secondary coil found at the bottom of the vehicle.
SEE ALSO: Luxury Brands to Lead Wireless Charging Adoption
As a result, the alternating magnetic field generated between the coils allows the vehicle’s battery to be charged at a rate of 3.6 kW and at 90-percent efficiency without cables. The company noted that the technology is capable of fully charging the high-voltage batteries in many plug-in hybrids in under three hours. Currently, the system is capable of charging the BMW i8’s 7.1 kWh battery in less than two hours, but engineers are working to nearly double the charging rate for high-capacity batteries.
GALLERY: BMW Wireless Inductive Charging
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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