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Wireless inductive charging for electric vehicles has been existing for many years but has not been particularly efficient. It is mainly slow and restricted to merely charging cars overnight in the garages of owners. The primary advantage was the ease of not needing to connect the car. Nevertheless, Stellantis and its partners are developing a wireless charging system, known as Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer, which could be more feasible.
DWPT functions by utilizing coils positioned beneath the pavement to transfer energy wirelessly through the asphalt to the car as it moves. This kind of technology is not entirely new, but the way Stellantis is applying it is innovative. Instead of wirelessly sending power to the battery to slowly charge it, the coils transfer power to a receiver linked to the electric motor itself. Therefore, the DWPT charging coils directly energize the electric motor, conserving the battery’s energy.
The new technology is being showcased by Stellantis using a functional DWPT setup at its “Arena del Futuro” track in Chiari, Italy, where a Fiat 500 EV can reach highway speeds without relying on the battery at all. Stellantis does not specify many details, such as speed or throttle limitations, but mentions that tests indicate a power transfer speed comparable to DC-fast chargers. Despite that, it does not identify the type of DC fast chargers being compared to DWPT, as it could range from 50-kilowatt to 350-kilowatt speed.
Similar to rapid chargers, DWPT employs DC charging, thus eliminating the need to convert energy from DC to AC. This allows Stellantis to utilize thinner cables crafted from aluminum instead of copper, making them lighter, cheaper, more sustainable, and easily recyclable.
Currently, Stellantis only has a Fiat 500 EV that operates on the DWPT-equipped test track; however, a Maserati Gracale Folgore will also be equipped to use the “Arena del Futuro,” providing continuous data. The Folgore will mark the commencement of Maserati’s plan to have a completely electrified lineup by 2025, and it is feasible for all such models to contain this new technology.
Implementing this kind of technology into current road infrastructure would be a considerable challenge, but it could prove beneficial in certain limited scenarios, like on specific highways or even for public transportation such as electric buses. While wireless inductive charging may seem somewhat gimmicky for household use due to its slower charging rate compared to a plug and its pickiness regarding where the car is parked over the charger, utilizing the technology to directly power the electric motor while driving could be genuinely advantageous if the technology continues evolving.
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