While wireless recharging is becoming a popular feature in smartphones, the technology is in its infancy when it comes to the automotive market. Canadian power electronics firm ELIX is looking to change that with its 8,000-watt wireless recharging technology the company is targeting for the debut of the Tesla 3 model electric vehicle (EV).
ELIX says the mass availability of the wireless recharger will be ready by the end of 2017 (the same time as the Tesla 3 model) and will save EV owners the hassle of having to plug power chargers into the vehicles; instead it will do the recharging wirelessly. The company has already started shipping its first product to various customers in law enforcement and EV industries in Canada, Europe and Asia.
A bus equipped with four E10K units on a front transverse mounting allow for wireless recharging. Source: ElixThe wireless technology includes almost a total absence of electromagnetic radiation, a reduced cost per watt when scaling the chargers to higher power levels, a high efficiency transmission and the ability to operate at the same power levels during various weather conditions. The technology even allows for transfer of electrical power underwater and through various other liquids, such as oil and gasoline.
The wireless charging technology is suitable for a variety of vehicles, including electric buses, autonomous vehicles, medical devices, transportation devices in mining and material handling, and naturally, consumer EVs.
ELIX will begin taking deposits for the wireless charger starting on May 1 through the company’s website: www.elixwireless.com
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