Skip to main content

Wireless electric vehicle charging system sales ‘to exceed 280,000 by 2020’

According to new research from Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice, until recently, wireless charging equipment for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) has had all the characteristics of a promising technology in search of a market. In the last six to twelve months, however, this has begun to change. Nearly all of the major PEV manufacturers have announced partnerships to develop wireless charging systems, and there are signs that such systems, installed at the factory or added at the dealershi
December 24, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
According to new research from 5644 Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice, until recently, wireless charging equipment for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) has had all the characteristics of a promising technology in search of a market. In the last six to twelve months, however, this has begun to change.

Nearly all of the major PEV manufacturers have announced partnerships to develop wireless charging systems, and there are signs that such systems, installed at the factory or added at the dealership, could become a market differentiator for electric vehicle (EV) models. Pike Research now predicts sales of wireless EV charging equipment will grow steadily through the remainder of the decade, reaching annual sales of 283,000 by 2020.

“They have also made other benefits of wireless charging, including the alleviation of range anxiety through frequent, brief top-offs via embedded, automatic wireless charging systems, much more evident. The experiences of EV owners have strengthened the case that the convenience of charging could be a major factor in purchase decisions,” says Pike editorial director Richard Martin.

 “They have also made other benefits of wireless charging, including the alleviation of range anxiety through frequent, brief top-offs via embedded, automatic wireless charging systems, much more evident.”

Many trials with OEM vehicles commenced in 2012. Publicly announced wireless charging vendor relationships include: 189 Siemens with 1731 BMW; WiTricity with Delphi and with car makers 1686 Toyota, 4962 Mitsubishi, and 2125 Audi; 213 Qualcomm with 2453 Renault and 33 Delta Motorsports; and 6265 Evatran with SPX Service Solutions, 1691 Google, 6266 Hertz and others. Currently, wireless EV charging systems are not on the commercial market, but at least one vendor intends to bring a system to market in the first half of 2013.

Related Content

  • September 22, 2017
    Transport industry experts gather in Brussels to commit to hydrogen mobility
    Transport industry leaders have gathered in Brussels today to confirm their commitment to expanding the deployment of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure across Europe Global vehicle manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Daimler, Honda, Hyundai, Symbio and Toyota, as well as leading hydrogen refuelling infrastructure providers, are gathering at the Hydrogen for Clean Transport conference to discuss and debate hydrogen-based solutions towards a zero emission transport
  • March 15, 2016
    Open interface for electric bus charging
    While the European public transport community is preparing for electric buses and standardisation activities have already begun, with European standards expected to come into place 2019, followed by international standards in 2020, many cities are already implementing electric bus systems. In order to meet their needs, European bus manufacturers Irizar, Solaris, VDL and Volvo have agreed with charging system suppliers ABB, Heliox and Siemens to an open, transparent and voluntary approach. Common preferre
  • April 29, 2016
    Germany’ plans subsidies to encourage EV use ‘an interesting move’
    Germany has announced plans to motivate German citizens to buy electric and hybrid vehicles, say news reports, with a plan that the transport ministry hopes will boost sluggish electric-vehicle sales. The plan is expected to cost US$1.35 billion (€1.2 billion), with the government and automakers sharing the cost. Car buyers will receive a US$4,530 (€4,000) discount on electric vehicles and a US$3,398 ($3,000) discount on hybrids. The proposal also includes the installation of more charging stations
  • March 13, 2015
    Feasibility study to look at use of dynamic wireless power transfer on UK roads
    The UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has been commissioned by the Highways Agency to undertake a feasibility study into whether dynamic wireless power transfer (WPT) technology can be used on England’s motorways and major A roads, the Strategic Road Network, to prepare for and potentially encourage, greater EV take-up. This study is the first part in a much larger programme of research and trialling for dynamic WPT technology to be undertaken in the UK. TRL was selected to deliver the feasibility st