A Kia Soul EV that was used to test the wireless charging system. Source: Kia Hyundai-Kia America and Mojo Mobility Inc. have completed a three year project to develop a fast-charging wireless power transfer system on a test fleet of Kia Soul electric vehicles.
The project, which was done in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, will enable electric vehicles to recharge without needing a plug. The technology is a compact wireless charging system that is capable of transferring more than 10 kW to the vehicle for fast charging while targeting an 85 percent grid-to-vehicle efficiency, Kia says.
The Kia-Mojo system uses an electromagnetic field to transfer energy between two coils — a transmitter on the ground and a receiver on the bottom of the vehicle. A driver would park the car above the transmitter to begin charging and the energy is sent through an inductive coupling to an electrical device that then charges the EV’s battery.
The system works even when there is some misalignment between the transmitter and the receiver, making it easier for drivers in day-to-day use.
Kia has no plans to offer the wireless charging system on production vehicles currently. But the company says the success of the project may lead to similar systems being possibly installed on future Kia electric vehicles.
