SAE International® has published a new standard for light duty wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging. The SAE Standard J2954, Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) for Light-Duty Plug-in/Electric Vehicles and Alignment Methodology is a “gamechanger,” according to Jesse Schneider (ZEV Station), chair of the SAE WPT Task Force.
“The next generation of EV charging can be as simple as parking in a certain spot, enabling seamless wireless charging,” Schneider continued. “With the J2954 standard, the team has solved the missing link of enabling commercialization of wireless charging for EVs.”
The SAE Wireless Power Transfer Task Force, consisting of OEMs, Tier 1s and wireless charging suppliers, completed a lengthy consensus process to finalize the wireless charging specification with vehicles to WPT pad alignment. The SAE WPT Taskforce extensively tested wireless power transfer and alignment in the lab and field allowing safe wireless power transfer up to 11kW with efficiencies to 93 percent. This new standard gives consistent alignment in an exact parking spot with the Differential Inductive Positioning System (DIPS).”
One innovative feature of the DIPS system is that the vehicle assembly seamlessly recognizes multiple ground assemblies, pairs automatically and enables precise alignment, even in all-weather conditions. “With the great teamwork of the SAE Wireless Power Taskforce together with the DIPS-Team, wireless charging with SAE J2954 Standard has become the first standardized automatic charging technology. This step marks a significant breakthrough towards achieving scalability and mass production of wireless charging systems,“ stated Dr. Mike Böttigheimer (MAHLE, Member of SAE J2954 Taskforce).
“The EV market has matured with conductive charging. By publishing SAE J2954 standard, the next models of light duty EV vehicles can reap the benefits of automated wireless charging with alignment,” stated Dr. Andreas Wendt, co-chair of the Dynamic Power Transfer subteam and Director of Electreon Germany GmbH. “What is coming next, is dynamic wireless power transfer, where DIPS could play a similar role in alignment. With this disruptive technology, electric vehicles could charge while in motion. The SAE J2954 Team is testing this for the now for the upcoming SAE J2954/3 Recommended Practice.”
