Siemens is licensing wireless charging technology from WiTricity for new products alongside a $25m investment. The companies also aim to work together on open, interoperable standards in wireless charging for global electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. The two companies say they want to bridge the gaps in the global standardization of…
Siemens is licensing wireless charging technology from WiTricity for new products alongside a $25m investment. The companies also aim to work together on open, interoperable standards in wireless charging for global electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
The two companies say they want to bridge the gaps in the global standardization of wireless charging for electric passenger and light duty commercial vehicles, to enable interoperability between vehicles and infrastructure, as well as support market penetration. In addition, both parties will collaborate to advance the technical development of wireless charging systems.
Current standards for wireless charging are covered by the SAE J2954, published in October 2021 that for the first time specifies, in a single document, both the electric vehicle- and supply equipment (EVSE) ground-system requirements. This helps pave the way for accelerating the adoption of EVs and autonomous vehicles.
The SAE J2954 Wireless Power Transfer and Alignment Taskforce worked since 2007 to thoroughly vet and test the technology, which still has gaps. There is also a separate taskforce working on standards for light commercial vehicles and trucks.
Siemens expects the wireless charging market in Europe and North America to reach US$2bn by 2028 and plans to develop new systems. It is already a leading supplier of charging systems using cables, working with developers and installers, making the move to wireless charging a natural development. However the lack of standards has so far inhibited the rollout of the wireless charging infrastructure.
Combining Siemens’ global footprint and EV charging portfolio with WiTricity’s innovative technology is the first step towards elevating our offering in the wireless charging space. This will speed up deployment of wireless charging technology, support standardization, and advance public charging infrastructure with interoperable solutions for drivers’ convenience,” said Markus Mildner, CEO of Siemens eMobility.
Siemens will also become a technology license partner for the resonant induction IP between the charger and receiver to provide high efficiency between a charging pad mounted on or in the ground exchanges power with a receiving coil attached on the underside of the EV. This uses a magnetic field transfers energy between the charging pad and the vehicle coil when the vehicle is over the charging pad, and WiTricity is a major patent holder for the technology.
“Wireless charging enables a driver to just park and walk away, returning to a charged vehicle. Wireless charging makes EVs more appealing for individual owners and more cost-effective for commercial operators. We are excited to partner with a leader like Siemens to help drive this new world of compelling solutions,” said Alex Gruzen, CEO of WiTricity. “Siemens and WiTricity share the goal of improving EV ownership and fleet management with the matchless simplicity and reliability of wireless charging”.
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