Tesla is apparently taking steps toward potentially offering wireless charging technology for its electric vehicles. The company is believed to have acquired Wiferion, a German firm specialized in wireless charging applications. While there hasn’t been an official announcement yet, eagle-eyed observers noted that Wiferion recently updated its website footer to include “Tesla Engineering Germany GmbH 2023.”
Wiferion, formerly known as Blue Inductive, has been actively involved in wireless charging solutions for industrial applications. The company entered into a licensing agreement with WiTricity, a key player in wireless charging patents, last year. This agreement focused on industrial wireless charging applications, particularly for electric vehicles in industrial settings. Wiferion’s technology aims to boost uptime for industrial automation and vehicles, enabling charging during operation as part of the workflow rather than only at the end of shifts. The technology has the potential to increase efficiency by around 32%.
While Wiferion’s current emphasis is on industrial applications, the acquisition by Tesla has sparked speculation that the EV giant could be exploring wireless charging for its consumer vehicles. Tesla has previously hinted at the possibility of wireless charging technology. During its Investor Day in March, the company showcased an image of a garage-parked Model S with a wireless charging pad beneath it. The image was part of a slide that playfully mentioned, “Tesla can’t forget to do cool s***.”
Wireless charging technology holds the promise of added convenience for EV owners, eliminating the need to remember to plug in every night. Instead, drivers simply need to park their cars over a charging pad. Notably, WiTricity, the company with which Wiferion had a licensing agreement, has demonstrated its technology on a Tesla Model 3 and a Ford Mustang Mach-E. This technology could also be beneficial for self-driving vehicles, such as the anticipated Tesla robotaxis, as well as for industrial robots and equipment.
Although the exact plans of Tesla regarding wireless charging remain unclear, the acquisition of Wiferion underscores the growing interest and relevance of wireless charging solutions in the automotive industry.