Tesla has offered a closer look at its upcoming wireless electric vehicle charging station, showcased during the recent unveiling of its Robotaxi. While the automaker previously focused on automated robot arms for charging, it now seems Tesla is shifting towards wireless solutions for its future autonomous vehicles.
Historically, Tesla showed little interest in wireless charging, as it doesn’t solve a pressing problem—plugging in a vehicle is a simple task. However, with the push toward self-driving technology, automating charging becomes more relevant. If vehicles can drive themselves, they should ideally be able to charge independently without human intervention.
Robotaxi wireless charging
No hands required pic.twitter.com/XL746DkGhb
— Tesla (@Tesla) October 18, 2024
The primary concern has always been efficiency, as wireless systems have typically lost more energy compared to conventional cable charging. Recent innovations, such as magnetic resonance, claim to match cable charging efficiency, around 95%.
Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, recently confirmed the company’s ongoing work on a wireless charging pad, and hints have emerged that future models, like the Cybertruck, could support retrofitted wireless charging options. At the ‘We, Robot’ event, Tesla showcased the Robotaxi, which notably lacks a traditional charging port, suggesting that wireless charging may be the sole method for charging these autonomous vehicles.
A newly released video highlights Tesla’s wireless charging pad, with a charge rate of 25 kW, higher than typical level 2 home charging but below the level 3 fast-charging rates from the Supercharger network. However, the system’s efficiency remains unknown. Tesla has also recently filed several patents related to wireless charging, indicating the company’s ongoing development of this technology.
