Tesla has patented a wireless EV charging system, indicating that the company is preparing to commercialize tech that's been hinting at for years as a possible addition to its electric vehicles.
A patent filing was spotted by Twitter (now known as X) user SETI Park. It was filed by Tesla Feb. 2 and published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Sept. 6. It discusses a form of inductive charging, in which electricity is transmitted from a coil connected to a power source to one on an electric vehicle, that is the most common current method of wireless charging.
Model S wireless charging pad
Tesla first teased wireless charging during a March 2023 presentation to investors, showing what appeared to be a wireless charging pad beneath a garage-parked Model S in one presentation slide.
Tesla did not comment on when or even if it would offer wireless charging to EV owners at the time, but just a few months later, enthusiast media noticed that the automaker appeared to have acquired German wireless charging firm Wiferion. Again, Tesla didn't publicly comment on its acquisition of the Wiferion or any wireless charging plans that might enable, but last December chief design officer Franz von Holzhausen confirmed to Jay Leno that the company is actively working on the tech.
Tesla Model 3 equipped with WiTricity wireless charging system
Wireless charging has a convenience factor that may win over would-be EV owners, as drivers don't need to remember to plug in every night; they're simply prompted to park the car centered over a charging pad. So far, though, WiTricity is the only company supplying the tech in an original equipment application outside of China—on the South Korean-market Genesis GV60.
For Tesla, wireless charging could also increase the uptime for self-driving vehicles, such as the revenue-generating robotaxis Tesla CEO Elon Musk continues to pursue.
