Originally published on CleanTechnica.
An important new industry guideline for wireless power transfer technology and infrastructure — “SAE TIR J2954 Wireless Power Transfer for Light-Duty Plug-In/ Electric Vehicles and Alignment Methodology” — was recently approved for publication by SAE International, according to reports.
The new guideline will reportedly be available on the SAE website starting on May 31.
The Chair of SAE International’s Wireless Power Transfer committee (and also the Fuel Cell, Electric Vehicle and Standards Development Manager at BMW North America), Jesse Schneider, commented: “Wireless power transfer using SAE TIR J2954 is a game changer for PH/EVs. This first in a series of documents will enable consumers to simply park their vehicles into spaces equipped with TIR J2954 equipment and walk away without doing anything to charge their PH/EV.”
Going on: “Standardization of both the vehicle and ground infrastructure WPT has started with SAE TIR J2954. The frequency band, safety, interoperability, EMC/ EMF limits as well as coil definitions from SAE TIR J2954 enable any compatible vehicle to charge wirelessly from its WPT home charger, work, or a shopping mall WPT charger, etc. with the same charging ability. All of this makes it possible to seamlessly transfer power over an air gap with high efficiencies. SAE TIR J2954 WPT automates the process for charging and extends the range for the vehicle customer only by parking in the right spot.”
SAE International’s PH/EV Wireless Power Transfer committee, which was established in 2010, developed the new SAE TIR J2954 guidelines.
A number of suppliers and auto manufacturers have already developed TIR J2954 WPT compatible systems — which are reportedly currently being tested in cooperation with the US Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, and Argonne National Laboratory. The findings of this testing process will be used to finalized the standard before 2018, with the widespread rollout of wireless charging technology presumably following.
As you probably noticed, practically every automaker and electric bus manufacturer and wireless EV charging supplier you can think of is noted in the image above, but one rather popular electric car manufacturer is notably absent.