Tesla has confirmed its development of an inductive wireless EV home charger. This wireless technology could help users avoid inconvenient charging situations.
The charger would eliminate the need for physically plugging in the car. Instead, drivers would only have to park over a charging pad to initiate the charging process.
According to The Cool Down, Tesla’s interest in wireless chargers is likely related to its desire to be a leader in self-driving technology. In a 2022 interview, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that Tesla would be “worth basically zero” without self-driving.
By creating wireless chargers, Tesla is giving EVs the ability to both drive themselves and charge themselves without human intervention.
Wireless EV charging stations have the potential to boost EV adoption, particularly in urban areas. For many apartment dwellers, buying EVs isn’t practical due to the difficulty of charging EVs at home.
Just over half of US EV drivers who live in multifamily units have access to home charging. The corresponding figure for EV drivers who live in detached homes is 95%.
In addition, four in ten apartment dwellers will not buy an EV until they move into a detached home, according to a 2022 study.
However, Tesla’s wireless chargers could be held back by their high price. The installation process will require workers to drill into the ground and place charging pads within concrete. Conventional home chargers don’t require this expensive work.
Moreover, apartment dwellers are typically far less able to afford renovations than owners of detached homes. As of January 2023, apartment renters in the US had a median household income of $45,151. This is 45% lower than the median household income of homeowners, which stood at $82,210.
The US government may need to provide Americans with significant subsidies if wireless home charging is to be viable.
Image Source: The Tesla Space
