Comments on: Volvo C30 Electric Can Recharge Wirelessly In 2.5 Hours

By: Doug

Doug — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 00:32:00 +0000

My 7kW, 40A Level 2 charger fit right in without any need to upgrade my electrical equipment. Tesla also has a 90A, 20kW wall connector that installs in most newer homes without a problem.

The question becomes why would you need this much charge at home? Fast charging is a on-the-road problem.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 02:24:00 +0000

240 vac, 200 amps is pretty much standard service for new construction in the US. Older homes may have only a 100 amp service but many older homes will have been upgraded.

A 40 amp line for EV charging would require a 40 amp circuit breaker in the box.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 00:29:00 +0000

In my experience, normal homes don’t have 40 amp lines (at least in the US) and 10 kilowatts is at least double what even the most inefficient ovens or dryers i’ve seen can pull. Maybe it’s not too hard to install such an outlet, but I guess my main point is that rarely do people seem to talk about limitations to how fast we can charge EVs. Sure, 10 kilowatts might be safe if installed correctly, but what about 20kW?, or 30kW?… there might be a point where we have to accept a certain maximum charging speed in the future that is totally separate from battery charging ability and more tied to building safety

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 18:30:00 +0000

Plan on it.

The tinfoil hat crew is always looking for a new bloomer bunching issue.

By: NRG4All

NRG4All — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 17:26:00 +0000

We hear about concerns over cell phone radiation, and high tension electrical radiation, it makes one wonder if a similar objection may be raised here as well.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:44:00 +0000

40 amp, 240 vac line? Clothes dryer/electric range territory.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:04:00 +0000

Not to be a downer but I think we need to have a serious conversation in the EV community about electrical safety limits… forgetting about the wireless aspect, just the straight numbers quoted add up to at least a 10 kilowatt charger (that’s about 3 times the power draw of a Leaf charger)… This is definitely not something that will be practical for an existing home unless you have some serious industrial strength electrical equipment and power lines coming into your house.

By: Ivor O'Connor

Ivor O'Connor — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 04:06:00 +0000

This is so incredible. These could be placed all about. The universal charging system. With RFID chips it could easily determine who to bill. This is so obviously the future.

1) Additional weight:
2) Efficiency: excellent
3) Cost:

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 04:01:00 +0000

Other wireless, inductive chargers are reported to be 95%+ efficient. One is reported at 97%.

The power lost cost would be so minor that most people are likely to go wireless.

13,000 miles per year. 0.3 kWh/mile. 3,900 kWh/year. $0.13/kWh. $507/year.

5% loss = $25.35/year. $0.07/day to avoid plugging/unplugging.

By: Ivor O'Connor

Ivor O'Connor — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 03:05:00 +0000

If my math it correct this could fully charge a Tesla P85 in 7 to 9 hours. How much weight does it add to the car? How efficient is it? (How much energy is lost compared to a direct connection.) How much does it cost? This, or something very similar to this, is obviously the future.