Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging

NREL is investigating the requirements and feasibility of wireless electric vehicle charging. 

High-power, in-road, dynamic wireless charging could go a long way toward realizing the potential of charge-sustaining electric vehicle operation (i.e., unlimited range with in-route recharge) while enabling the use of smaller, cheaper batteries.

Research focuses on associated hardware, communication, system planning, and control strategies, as well as the potential for in-road wireless charging to be cost-competitive with conventional fast-charging technologies.

System Design Variables

Researchers are looking at interrelated variables to design an optimized system:

• Roadway classes to be electrified
• Roadway charging segment locations and lengths
• Charging power levels
• System interoperability to serve a range of vehicle classes (i.e., light-, medium-, and heavy-duty)
• Appropriate battery capacity to enable charge-sustaining operation for long-distance travel
• Feasibility of wireless charging for shared automated electric vehicles.

Data and Tools

Researchers employ these tools and data repositories to study and develop wireless charging technologies and systems:

EVI-EnSite: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – Energy Estimation and Site Optimization Tool

EVI-InMotion: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – In Motion Tool

Fleet DNA: Commercial Fleet Vehicle Operating Data

TSDC: Transportation Secure Data Center

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