Volvo charges C30 wirelessly in less than three hours

Volvo completed what it called a "successful" study of wireless charging systems for electric vehicles by fully charging up an all-electric C30 in about two and a half hours.

The Swedish automaker used words like "comfortable," "effective" and "safe" to describe the inductive charging system. Such a process involves induction coils on both the station and the vehicle and uses electromagnetic waves to conduct the necessary electricity. Volvo is working with Siemens to develop electric-drive powertrains and hopes the study helps move the industry towards some sort of yet-to-be determined wireless-charging standard.

Other automakers are also looking at wireless charging as another way to get more people to gravitate towards plug-in vehicles. Toyota is working on a wireless charging system for its Prius Plug-in Hybrids, while Nissan's Infiniti division said last year that it aimed to make the first production model with a wireless charging system as standard equipment.

As for Volvo and its plug-ins, the company has been making the electric C30, albeit in limited numbers, since 2011. Volvo also started making its V60 plug-in diesel hybrid late last year and said at the time that it would produce between 4,000 and 6,000 cars for the 2014 model year. Check out Volvo's press releasebelow.

Show full PR text

News Source: Volvo

Bosch Offers Wireless EV Charger For $3,000

Bosch, a manufacturer of automobile components, has begun selling a wireless electric vehicle charging station for $3,000. Forget plugging in; now all you’ll have to do is park to charge your EV.

This wireless Bosch charging unit is a Level – 2 charger, meaning that that it operates at 240 volts and charges an electric car, and it adds 10-20 miles of range for every hour of charging.  Too rich for your wallet? Bosch also sells another Level-2  plug-in charging station that will cost you only $450, and is one of the cheapest chargers on the market.

If you can’t get into the routine of plugging your vehicle in every day though, then this wireless charging unit is for you. Unfortunately, at the moment, this charger can only wirelessly charge the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt.

Bosch also offers financing for any Bosch charging station. For example, you can put $0 down with no monthly payments for 12 months if repaid in full within 12 months. That will make the wireless charging unit a lot more affordable to be sure. But is the world ready to stop plugging in their plug-in cars?

Source: Bosch