A number of automakers claim that current conductive charging systems, with their cumbersome and heavy cables, are making plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles difficult to sell. Wireless charging systems are currently being developed to make the charging experience more convenient for consumers and to encourage them to recharge their vehicles more often.

The recently released Strategy Analytics Powertrain, Body, Safety & Chassis (Automotive Electronics) Service report, 2017: The “Important Year” For Wireless Charging In Electric Vehicles, looks at the progress in wireless charging developments, as well as commenting on possible deployment strategies and forecasting demand for wireless charging systems.

Technology providers believe that wireless charging systems will enter the electric vehicle market as early as 2017, saying that some OEMs have already implemented them in their next product cycle. The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) hopes to have its J-2954 standards finalized as early as 2017, with the recommendations released as early as late-2016.

“While the selling point for wireless charging systems is undoubtedly beneficial to the promotion of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, they will firstly be offered as a costly optional purchase, limited to mainly luxury auto brands, when they launch in 2017. Other challenges include the speed of finalizing standards, since it is critical for wireless charging systems to be interoperable, in instances where the consumer buys a different brand of electric vehicle or when charging on public infrastructures,” said Kevin Mak, senior analyst in the Automotive Electronics Service (AES) at Strategy Analytics.

He added, “Once the hurdles of cost and standardization can be cleared after the first five years of deployment, then the long-term prospects could realize a mass market potential, with the possibility they could even displace conductive charging systems by 2028.”