In a strategic move to bolster its wireless charging technology, Tesla has acquired the German company Wiferion, a specialist in wireless charging solutions, for an undisclosed sum. While neither Tesla nor Wiferion have officially disclosed the transaction, Wiferion’s website now identifies itself as part of ‘Tesla Engineering Germany GmbH.’ Based on Tesla’s recent earnings report, the purchase price is believed to be around $76 million, listed under ‘Business Combinations.’
Wiferion has established expertise in the development and manufacturing of inductive charging systems, catering primarily to transport systems, forklifts, and robots, as reported by Drive Tesla Canada. With Tesla’s acquisition, updates in the German Commercial Registry indicate a shift in focus towards “products and services in the field of power electronics and other technical disciplines to support the advancement of electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems and devices.”
This acquisition aligns with Tesla’s ongoing efforts to enhance wireless charging solutions for its electric vehicles (EVs). During March’s Investor Day, Tesla’s head of Global Charging Infrastructure, Rebecca Tinucci, hinted at the company’s wireless charging system through a presentation slide displaying a Model S parked over what seemed to be an inductive charging pad.
The news of Tesla’s latest acquisition comes shortly after a consortium of renowned car manufacturers, including the BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Stellantis, announced their joint venture to establish a comprehensive charging network in North America. The ambitious plan aims to challenge Tesla’s Superchargers by deploying at least 30,000 chargers across the United States and Canada, featuring CCS and NACS plugs, with minimum charging speeds of 350 kW and maximum speeds of 400 kW.
Tesla’s move to integrate Wiferion’s wireless charging expertise is expected to reinforce its position as a leading innovator in the EV market, as the race for efficient charging solutions gains momentum in the ever-evolving automotive landscape.
