Volkswagen and Oak Ridge National Lab Set World Record With 270 kW Wireless EV Charging

Volkswagen and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have set a new world record for wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging by successfully transferring an unprecedented 270 kilowatts of power to a Porsche Taycan.

This achievement, which occurred as part of a collaborative project initiated in 2021, represents a dramatic improvement over conventional wireless charging systems. In comparison, current commercial solutions typically offer no more than 11 kilowatts of power at 92% efficiency. However, the new system delivers between eight and ten times higher power density than these conventional systems according to ORNL. 

The stand-out factor of this breakthrough lies in a novel wireless charging system developed by ORNL scientists. Featuring lightweight and polyphase electromagnetic coupling coils just over 19 inches in diameter, the system was seamlessly integrated into the undercarriage of the Porsche Taycan. As a result, this innovative design allows for higher power density in a compact form factor, which makes it suitable for light-duty passenger vehicles that previously could not accommodate bulky wireless charging systems.

Omer Onar, leader of ORNL’s Vehicle Power Electronics group, expressed the system’s efficiency stating, “Per kilowatt weight, this is also the most lightweight charging system in the world.”

Notably, the system achieved an impressive 95% efficiency, transferring power across a 4.85-inch gap between the ground-based sender unit and the vehicle-mounted receiver.

In practical terms, this showcases the Porsche Taycan’s battery charge could be increased by 50% in just 10 minutes, which is a rate comparable to the fastest available plug-in DC fast charging stations. Moreover, the system also contains safety features to prevent issues such as excessive voltage, short-circuiting, and overheating.

While this technology represents a significant step forward, it is not yet ready for buyer use. Furthermore, Volkswagen and ORNL plan to continue their collaboration by focusing on making the system smaller, more cost-effective, and easier to produce at scale.

With wireless charging at this power level, it could potentially revolutionize the EV charging experience more simply and effortlessly. As Volkswagen and ORNL continue to refine this EV technology, the goal to enhance the practicality of EVs will be further accelerated.

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