Nissan teases new wireless charging system

Nissan is set to unveil its vision of a high-performance wireless charging system for electric vehicles at next year’s Geneva motor show. To be called ‘Fuel Station of the Future’, the system has been previewed in a video clip that shows a Nissan Leaf pulling up to a kerb and automatically begins to recharge via a device mounted in the road, underneath the car.

While wireless charging is not a new concept, slow evolution of the technology has resulted in lengthy charging times compared to conventional charging via cables. Last month, however, Nissan showed off a 7kW wireless charging device that could easily provide overnight charging even for larger battery packs such as the 60kW pack that is currently in development at the company’s research and development base in Atsugi, Japan. Expected to be installed in the next-generation Leaf, such a battery pack could give a full-charge driving range of up to 500km.

Nissan will soon start trials of EVs equipped with wireless charging equipment, with the tests expected to run for at least five years. The company has said that it wants to reach a point where “EV charging will be automatic, without human intervention”. The Japanese manufacturer added that the ‘Fuel Station of the Future’ concept will be unveiled in March, which makes a Geneva show reveal most likely. Nissan has worked with architects Foster and Partners on the project.

Earlier this week, Nissan also announced the development of an ‘vehicle-to-grid’ system which will allow drivers to operate as individual ‘energy hubs’ with the ability to store, use or return electricity to the grid. The carmaker will begin the so-called ‘smart grid’ trials in partnership with multinational energy manufacturer and distributor, ENEL.

BMW, Daimler and Toyota are among the other manufacturers developing their own wireless charging systems.