BMW is the latest automotive company to begin working on the development of wireless chargers for their lineup of i3 and i8 plug-in models. The company has teamed up with Daimler AG to create the high-end technology for the project, which is already in the making. The end result will consist of a charging system that will operate wirelessly and fully charge the car's battery in less time than the current stationary charger, reducing the wait time.
Comprised of a base plate with a primary coil situated beneath the car and a secondary coil fitted within the car floor, BMW's wireless charger works by using a magnetic field created between the two coils to transmit electrical energy. When released, the system will charge at a rate of 3.6 kilowatts, which is the current rate achieved with stationary chargers. However, unlike the average charger, BMW wants the system to have a shorter charge time than the present three-hour period. A prototype of the wireless charger was able to deliver full battery power in less than two hours when used on the BMW i8, proving a reduced charge time is achievable.
BMW has yet to release an official statement regarding the arrival of the wireless charger, but they do already have plans for future models. They want to increase the charge rate to 7kW, expanding the charger's capabilities.
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