Tesla says its wireless charging tech has over 90% efficiency

Tesla has revealed that its wireless charging technology for electric vehicles (EVs) has a score of more than 90% efficiency. If true, the company could deliver a plug-in-free charging experience for its future products.

This answer follows a debate on a recently published wireless charging promo on social media site X. This less than 15-second video shows the Cybercab robotaxi reversing on top of a wireless charging pad. Once reached, the car starts charging and this action is confirmed on the front display’s user interface.

This video led to interest from people online including an iOS developer who asked a question about the tech’s efficiency. In reply, famous YouTuber Marques Brownlee wrote “A really noble goal for something like this would be maybe 75% efficiency”.

However, Tesla also replied that its wireless charging technology can deliver more than 90% efficiency.

Why does high-efficiency matter?

Efficiency is a key concern around wireless charging, which has evolved primarily around smartphones. Tesla is bringing this capability to improve operational efficiency with new models, especially with autonomous vehicles.

Cybercab is designed to provide fully autonomous unsupervised driving. Besides the self-driving part, such vehicles will be deployed for ride-hailing services.

In that case, the fleet could become efficient with wireless charging. Similar to the video, the Cybercab will dock on a wireless charging pad and recharge to return to work. While charging, the company will maintain the vehicle’s cleanliness with robot arms.

Tesla Cybercab reversing towards the wireless charging pad (Source – Tesla)

Wireless charging uses magnetic coils embedded in a charging pad and another underneath the EV. When both come into contact, an electromagnetic field is generated, which transfers electric current to the receiving vehicle’s coil to charge the battery.

High charging efficiency could transfer more power in less time. It could reduce energy loss due to heat and make the system efficient.

However, some conditions including inefficient coupling, electromagnetic interference, heat, misalignment, distance, and foreign objects will remain key concerns in an open operation environment where the vehicle will perform these operations autonomously.