Tesla has a patent a wireless EV charging systemindicating that the company is preparing to commercialize technology that has been touted for years as a possible addition to its electric vehicles.
The patent filing was spotted by Twitter (now known as X) user SETI Park. Posted by Tesla Feb. 2 and published by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Sept. 6. Discusses a type of inductive charging, where electricity is transferred from a coil connected to a power source to that of an electric vehicle, which is the current standard method of wireless charging.
Model S wireless charging pad
Tesla first wireless charging during a March 2023 presentation to investors, showing what appears to be a wireless charging pad under a Model S parked in a garage in one presentation slide.
Tesla didn't comment on when it would offer wireless charging to EV owners at the time, but a few months later, media enthusiasts noticed that the automaker appeared to have an automaker. has acquired German wireless charging company Wiferion. Also, Tesla has not publicly commented on its acquisition of Wiferion or any potential wireless charging plans.
The Tesla Model 3 is equipped with the WiTricity wireless charging system
Wireless charging has a convenient feature that could win EV owners over, as drivers don't need to remember to plug in every night; they are simply told to park the car on top of the charging station. However, so far, WiTricity is the only company to provide the technology in a real machine application outside of China—for the South Korean market Genesis GV60.
For Tesla, wireless charging can increase the operating time of self-driving cars, such as robotaxis that makes money Tesla CEO Elon Musk continues to follow suit.