Audi Introduce Electric Vehicle Wireless Charging @ Frankfurt

Audi have introduced Audi Wireless Charging (AWC), contactless induction charging, at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

The infrastructure side, comprising a coil and an inverter (AC/AC converter), is placed on a normal parking spot and connected to the power grid. The 3.6 kW primary coil set into the plate generates a high-frequency alternating field.

The charging process begins automatically when the EV drives onto the plate. The alternating magnetic field of the infrastructure side induces an alternating current across the air gap in the secondary coil, which is integrated into the vehicle. This current is rectified and fed into the vehicle’s electrical system, where it charges the battery or powers consumers such as the heater. The alternating field is only generated if the vehicle is standing over the plate and thus poses no danger to people or animals.

Charging stops automatically when the battery is fully charged. The driver can interrupt charging at any time. The efficiency of AWC is comparable to that of other charging technologies. It is not affected by rain, snow or ice. The new technology makes charging electric vehicles easy and extremely convenient. A later version of the technology will be able to be integrated into the transportation infrastructure as a retrofit for parking garages or residential streets.

Both the Audi A2 EV and the 1+1 urban concept are designed to use Audi Wireless Charging.