WiTricity, IHI, and Mitsubishi Motors have agreed to join forces to research and develop easily deployable electric vehicle (EV) wireless charging systems readily compatible with electric grids which will make life easier for EV users in the future. The partnership structure of three major players in the wireless charging, electric infrastructure, and EV areas coming together will accelerate the popularization of wireless charging systems for EVs by developing systems that are usable right out of the box for individuals, governments, and other entities including power companies in order to make it easier and quicker for them to roll out such systems.
Wireless charging systems allow transfer of energy from a source placed on or under the ground, to a vehicle equipped with an energy capture device. Charging occurs automatically when the vehicle is parked, with no physical contact between the vehicle and the charging source. The three companies will combine state-of-the-art wireless charging technology, electric power infrastructure know-how and over four decades of EV research, development, and technology to make easily deployable wireless charging systems for EVs over three steps: research and development, real-world testing, and commercialization.