Canadian Researchers Create Wireless Charger For Electric Cars

An anonymous reader writes "University of British Columbia researchers have developed a wireless charging system for electric cars. It involves a spinning magnet beneath the parked vehicle which turns another magnet in the underside of the car. Charging takes four hours and is about 90% as efficient as plugging in. From the article: '"One of the major challenges of electric vehicles is the need to connect cords and sockets in often cramped conditions and in bad weather," says David Woodson, managing director of UBC Building Operations. "Since we began testing the system, the feedback from drivers has been overwhelmingly positive." Four wireless charging stations have been installed at UBC's building operations parking lot. Tests show the system is more than 90 per cent efficient compared to a cable charge. A full charge takes four hours and enables the vehicle to run throughout an eight-hour shift.'"

Comments

90% as efficent as a plug is good enough?

[__aaltlg1547]

Not if I'm paying for the electricity. I don't really feel like paying 10% extra to charge my car for the convenience of not having to plug it in. How much more does this charging system cost and how much does it add to my car's weight? Qualitatively, let's estimate that as "too much."

Re:90% as efficent as a plug is good enough?

[CastrTroy]

Especially disappointing coming from Canada where plug our gas powered cars in during the winter anyway. Is it seriously that hard to plug in your car? Why not just build in some sort of robotics and sensing system so that the charging station can maneuver the plug into the car if you are really that lazy.

F-Zero

[Anonymous Coward]

I have visions of the recharge lane.

Lots of Canadian stories this weekend

[mark-t]

Not that I'm complaining... I'm just a bit surprised. News for nerds north of the 49th.... If this was November, I'd suspect some sort of alliteration joke to be forthcoming.