In partnership with a laboratory and university in Knoxville, the multinational Volkswagen plans to improve its electric car models with a more autonomous and wireless charging system    

By teaming up with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Volkswagen has set new goals, such as minimizing losses and increasing the speed of fast and wireless charging for the new batteries of its electric cars. This survey of what needed to be improved was done through the Volkswagen Group of America's Innovation Hub Knoxville. With the new strategies outlined, impressive progress has already been made, according to a recent report issued by the group.

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Project aims to improve the way to recharge battery of electric cars, with wireless charger, in a short period

With this new research and development partnership, Volkswagen and the University of Tennessee have already been able to 'up' the electric car's battery and increase the maximum charging speed, through a 6,6 kW wireless charger to 120 kW.

Volkswagen together with the ORNL laboratory plan to expand these numbers further and further, with 300 kW being the main and final objective. If they actually manage to reach 300kW, it can be said that this estimate would be more than enough to charge a Porsche Taycan, which has a larger battery capacity, up to 80%, in about 10 minutes only.

Recharging time for electric car batteries will be cut by more than half with the arrival of wireless chargers

The comparison made to the Taycan's charging speed using the fast charging station is, in fact, only a comparison, as the company and the laboratory have not yet reached this reality, as it is very common to have several losses during the process.

In fact, we all know that losses are one of the main problems that affect wireless chargers for electric cars, however, according to ORNL, during tests it was possible to obtain efficiency of up to 98%, since the remaining 2% of energy transmitted through the wireless base are completely wasted.

Sustainable electric vehicles, to serve as an example to other companies

ORNL Energy Science and Technology Laboratory Director Xin Sun said the team is taking great pleasure in working with Volkswagen and the University of Tennessee as it demonstrates the powerful and ultra-efficient wireless charging technology. of ORNL, through a great aggregated brand, which is Volkswagen. Xin further discussed the beautiful design of multi-phase electromagnetic coil and power electronics, which has a high potential to transfer high levels of energy, in a fully compact system.

The director revealed that they will not only focus on a wireless charging system, but also on a system of developing components made from plant fibres, mainly in the interior of the vehicle, inspired by what was done by the conceptual BMW iVision Circular.

Bringing to the market more electric cars that can contribute to nature and environmental well-being, can make other manufacturers follow this good example.