Siemens has invested US$25 million (£20.4 million) in acquiring a minority stake in American wireless technology company WiTricity.

Siemens and WiTricity say they will work together to drive innovation in the emerging market for wireless EV charging, which they say is expected to reach $2 billion by 2028 in Europe and North America alone. The two companies seek to bridge the gaps in the global standardisation of wireless charging for electric passenger and light duty commercial vehicles, to enable interoperability between vehicles and infrastructure, as well as support market penetration. In addition, both parties say they will collaborate to advance the technical development of wireless charging systems.

A charging pad mounted on or in the ground exchanges power with a receiving coil attached on the underside of the EV. There are no moving parts or physical connectors. Instead, a magnetic field transfers energy between the charging pad and the vehicle coil when the vehicle is over the charging pad. The system uses resonant induction between the charger and receiver in order to provide high efficiency at a variety of ground clearances, from low-slung sports cars to SUVs. 

“Combining Siemens’ global footprint and EV charging portfolio with WiTricity’s innovative technology is the first step towards elevating our offering in the wireless charging space. This will speed up deployment of wireless charging technology, support standardisation, and advance public charging infrastructure with interoperable solutions for drivers’ convenience,” said Markus Mildner, CEO of Siemens eMobility. Siemens will also become a technology license partner, benefitting from WiTricity’s deep know-how and decade-long collaboration with global automotive OEMs to develop proven, field-tested, interoperable wireless charging solutions.”

(Picture – Siemens)