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Volvo wireless vehicle charging: Testing new technology

Volvo Cars is integrating and testing a new wireless charging technology in a live city environment together with selected partners, evaluating its potential for future electric cars.

The simple act of not plugging in is incredibly convenient. Since the introduction of wireless charging pads for our smartphones Just like your smartphone! we will agree that our lives have gotten more convenient. Even better because your Volvo Cars come with wireless charging points. The ability to charge your phone simply by popping it down in the right spot must have changed how you think about your phone’s charge status. You Don’t!


At Paul Rigby Volvo, we currently have two electric vehicles available, our XC40 & C40. Learn more below.

Volvo C40Volvo XC40 Electric

Simpler, More Confident Days are coming.

Volvo is currently looking to bring this mentality to electric vehicles and make it a reality. We have partnered with the largest Nordic Taxi operator to roll out a wireless charging pilot in our home city of Gothenburg Sweden.

These tests involve a fleet of Volvo XC40 recharge cars with wireless charging capability, which are being used as taxis in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo told AutoCar that six cars are involved in the trial, with plans to expand over a period of three years.​

How Does it Work?

To charge wirelessly, compatible cars park over a charging pad that has been embedded into the road surface. Charging starts automatically once the car is lined up appropriately, so drivers don’t need to leave the car. The charging station sends energy through the charging pad, which is picked up by a receiver unit embedded in the car.

A cool trick is to align the car with the charging pad and that’s where Volvo’s 360-degree camera system will come in very handy. It was reported that the XC40 recharge charging speed is more than 40kw, which is almost as fast as a wired 50KW fast charger and four times faster than a wired 11kw AC charger. Volvo says this is enough for 60 miles of range in 30 minutes.

What is in it for you

A hidden benefit of wireless charging is that cities won’t need to install unsightly charging stations everywhere to keep cars on the move. The actual fast charging equipment could be 100 feet away from the charging spots, making for a much cleaner visual city.

A great benefit is that wireless pads automatically identify vehicles being charged and bill the individual or taxi company accordingly. This means you get to stay warm in your car without needing to mess with charging cables at all. Eriksson says. “The customer would like to have it, and they see benefits on energy prices, so the business side is beneficial too.”