BMW launches wireless charging as the electronic push continues

Tuesday, 5 June 2018

BMW has unveiled a wireless charging system that will be available in Germany, followed shortly by the UK, the US, Japan and China.

BMW has launched the world's first factory-fitted, fully integrated inductive charging facility for charging the high-voltage battery in a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Available to customers as an option on the 530e iPerformance in Germany, BMW Wireless Charging consists of the GroundPad (an inductive charging station), that can be installed either in a garage or outdoors, and the CarPad fixed to the underside of the vehicle.

BMW says the contactless transfer of energy between the GroundPad and CarPad is conducted over a distance of around eight centimetres, with the GroundPad generating a magnetic field that induces an electric current in the CarPad, which then charges the battery.

The GroundPad creates a magnetic field that induces an electric current in the CarPad that in turn charges the battery.

When the vehicle is positioned over the GroundPad, the charging process starts automatically after the car is turned off, without any further input from the driver.

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BMW says the GroudPad inductive charger can be installed outside and won't be damaged if it is driven over.

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The WiFi connection between the car and the charger help the driver line the car up correctly.

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BMW says its wireless charging uses the same inductive charging technology already widely used for supplying power to devices such as mobile phones and electric toothbrushes.

The car helps the driver to manoeuvre into the correct parking position using a WiFi connection between the charging station and vehicle. Once the connection has been made, an overhead view of the car and its surroundings then appears in the car's display with coloured lines that guide the driver and an icon that shows when the correct parking position for inductive charging has been reached.

And you don't need to be too accurate either; BMW say the position can deviate by up to seven centimetres longitudinally and up to 14 centimetres laterally.

The GroundPad can also be installed outdoors, where it may be used regardless of the weather conditions. All components that conduct electricity are protected from rain and snow, and BMW says driving over the GroundPad will not damage it in any way.

During charging, ambient electromagnetic radiation is limited to the vehicle undercarriage, while the GroundPad is permanently monitored and will switch off if any 'foreign matter' (like your cat) is detected.

BMW is launching the charging system in Germany first, but will be rolling it out to the UK, USA, Japan and China shortly.

The company is remaining tight-lipped around whether the technology will make its way to New Zealand, however, with a spokesman frm BMW NZ just saying; 'We're very committed to introducing all new electrified vehicles as they become available, along with any associated infrastructure which would aid the uptake of electrified vehicles in our market.'