A second coil in the portable device picks up power from the electromagnetic field and converts it back into an electrical energy that charges the battery.
This technology is common in home appliances such as electric toothbrushes but is not yet commercially available to charge electric cars.
"Inductive charging has great potential. Cordless technology is a comfortable and effective way to conveniently transfer energy. The study also indicates that it is safe," says Volvo Car Group's vice-president of electric propulsion systems, Lennart Stegland.
"There is not yet any common standard for inductive charging. We will continue our research and evaluate the feasibility of the technology in our hybrid and electric car projects."
Volvo Car Group completes successful study of cordless charging for electric cars.
It involved a consortium of companies, including Volvo, Bombardier Transportation and the coachbuilder Van Hool.
The project was partly funded by the Flemish government. Volvo supplied the car for the inductive charging project, a Volvo C30 Electric.
"The tests demonstrated that our Volvo C30 Electric can be fully charged without a power cable in about 2 hours," Stegland said.
" In parallel with this, we have also conducted research into slow and regular charging together with Inverto, which was also a partner in the project."
