The US Is Finally Getting BMW’s Wireless Charging System

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Bet not too many knew BMW had its own wireless charging system, and now the company says it will offer it to its US customers.

BMW Wireless Charging Pad

We’ve been hearing for years that inductive charging or wireless charging systems are the way to go. But so far, only a handful companies offer wireless charging. It’s funny to think that a technology so prevalent as to be found in almost all bathroom charging electric toothbrushes is taking so long to make it into EVs and PHEVs. So what’s the holdup?

Efficiency. Cost. Accuracy and reliability. These may be some of the key hurdles and sources of delay, but BMW is apparently ready to push forward with its option nonetheless.

BMW Wireless Charging PadOK, so, finally no more untangling a charging cord when your EV needs a charge? BMW is offering its Wireless Charging Pad as an option for the 530e iPerformance plug-in hybrid. The pad should be available in the US by the end of 2018. The system will use a base pad as the primary coil. It can be installed in a garage or outdoors. The secondary coil is on the underside of the vehicle.

Before you get too excited about the deployment of the charging system, however, BMW is being very pragmatic and cautious about its use. The company is doing a small test trial in order to better understand how its customers will use the technology — and if they will want to use it all.

The BMW Wireless Charge Pad

BMW Wireless Charging Pad

Technically speaking, the wireless system charges at 3.2 kWh. BMW says it will completely recharge the PHEV’s battery in 3½ hours. It needs to be connected to a 220-volt (240V) outlet to work. BMW’s infotainment detects the pad as soon as the car parks over it, and the driver starts the charging at that point.

According to BMW Blog, the BMW 530e is just the test trial before more models will be offered with the charging package. BMW says the price hasn’t yet been fixed, but should be slightly above the current $900 BMW i Wallbox Pro. It was shown at the Detroit Auto Show.

Conclusion

We already know how most of you feel about paying the same price for a 530e plug-in hybrid as the regular version of the car. We can’t help but wonder why such a timid step forward for BMW when it could use this as a way to leapfrog other carmakers and get a lot of positive press.

We hope BMW will take the lead and offer its wireless charging pad for the for the rest of its electric car lineup. We do wonder why it didn’t start with the i3 and i8.


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Nicolas Zart

Nicolas was born and raised around classic cars of the 1920s, but it wasn't until he drove an AC Propulsion eBox and a Tesla Roadster that the light went on. Ever since he has produced green mobility content on various CleanTech outlets since 2007 and found his home on CleanTechnica. He grew up in an international environment and his communication passion led to cover electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, renewable energy, test drives, podcasts, shoot pictures, and film for various international outlets in print and online. Nicolas offers an in-depth look at the e-mobility world through interviews and the many contacts he has forged in those industries. His favorite taglines are: "There are more solutions than obstacles." and "Yesterday's Future Now"

Nicolas Zart has 572 posts and counting. See all posts by Nicolas Zart