Whether at home via a wallbox, while shopping, at work or on the street, the possibilities for powering electric vehicles are already very diverse nowadays.
Mercedes-Benz will soon be offering a wireless charging solution, that is set to revolutionise charging convenience from 2017 particularly for charging at home. The use of the technology is initially planned for the facelifted model of the Mercedes-Benz S 500 e.
According to the automaker, wireless charging makes handling these vehicles even more convenient. With this innovative technology, the electrical energy is contactlessly and safely transmitted via a magnetic field.
The system is comprised of two components: a secondary coil in the vehicle floor and a base plate with integrated primary coil. This is placed on the garage floor, for example, or in a protected area in front of a carport. Via a display message in the cockpit the driver can see whether the vehicle is in the tolerance range over the charging station. As soon as the charging position has been reached, charging automatically begins and is constantly monitored by the system. The electrical energy is transmitted contactlessly, without a charging cable, at a power output of up to 3.6 kW. With an efficiency rate of almost 90%, the high-voltage battery can be efficiently, conveniently and safely charged.
Mercedes-Benz has been testing cordless charging technology since 2015 with a test fleet of the current S 500 e. The technology should be ready by 2017 for consumers when the automaker debuts the facelifted S 500 e. The availability of the wireless charging system will be an optional extra when they purchase the new S 500 e, in addition to cable-connected charging.
Mercedes-Benz also revealed that the facelifted S 500 e will have an improved driving range. Its lithium-ion battery pack will grow from 8.7 to 13.3 kWh, which the company says should bump all-electric driving range to 50km in European testing, up from its current European rating of 30km EV.
Source: Mercedes-Benz via Motor1
