Siemens to test inductive charging system for electric vehicles

Date: 11/4/2011

Electric vehicles may not need to be plugged in to charge their batteries following the announcement that Siemens and BMW have developed an inductive charging system.

The technology enables contactless charging, rather than requiring drivers to hook their vehicle up to the mains with a lead.

It works by generating an electric field between two coils - one of which is positioned underground and attached to the main grid, while the other is attached to the car.

The primary coil can generate a magnetic field which induces a current in the secondary coil in the vehicle, which in turn charges the battery.

Siemens notes that the system has an efficiency rate of more than 90 per cent, while remaining safe as the magnetic field generated is far below the internationally recommended limit.

A prototype is due to undergo testing in May, with a trail set to be rolled out in Berlin in June to help assess any alterations that may be needed to accommodate practical use.

Manufacturers such as Peugeot, Citroen, Mitsubishi and Nissan have already delivered plug-in electric vehicles to motorists in Europe.

Posted by Sarah Bailey