Design and Development of Wireless EV

Charging Using Inductive Coupling

Updesh Kumar
Babu Sundar Singh Institute of Technology and Management

Abstract
The global transition from conventional vehicles to electric vehicles has accelerated in
recent years due to environmental concerns, government regulations and the rising cost of
fossil fuels. Charging infrastructure remains one of the biggest challenges in EV adoption.
Wireless power transfer technology provides a convenient and safe alternative to
traditional plug-in charging. This paper focuses on the design and development of a wireless
charging system using inductive coupling. The concept of electromagnetic induction enables
contactless energy transfer between two coils. The research discusses system architecture,
circuit design, performance testing, challenges and future improvements.

This project presents a wireless power transfer (WPT) system for EVs utilizing inductive
coupling to enhance charging convenience and safety. The system converts utility AC power
to high-frequency magnetic fields via a primary coil, which induces a current in a secondary
coil mounted on the vehicle. A prototype demonstrates efficient power transfer over a
specific air gap (typically 1–10 inches), addressing "range anxiety" and reducing mechanical
wear associated with plug-in chargers.

Keywords
Wireless charging, Electric Vehicle (EV), Inductive Power Transfer (IPT), Resonant Magnetic
Coupling, Wireless Power Transfer (WPT), Electromagnetic Induction, Efficiency.

Introduction
The global transition from conventional vehicles to electric vehicles has accelerated in
recent years due to environmental concerns, government regulations and the rising cost of
fossil fuels. Charging infrastructure remains one of the biggest challenges in EV adoption.
Wireless power transfer technology provides a convenient and safe alternative to
traditional plug-in charging. This paper focuses on the design and development of a wireless
charging system using inductive coupling. The concept of electromagnetic induction enables
contactless energy transfer between two coils. The research discusses system architecture,
circuit design, performance testing, challenges and future improvements.

The global shift toward electric mobility is hindered by long charging times and the
inconvenience of heavy cables. Wireless charging offers a "park-and-charge" solution where
the vehicle is energized simply by being positioned over a ground-embedded pad. This
section introduces the core concept: using Faraday’s Law of Induction to transfer kilowatts
of power through a magnetic field.

Literature Review
Wireless power transfer has been researched extensively over the past decade. Researchers
have explored resonant inductive coupling, dynamic charging and high-frequency inverter
topologies. Many studies report efficiency above 80 percent under ideal alignment
conditions. However, coil misalignment, power loss and electromagnetic interference
remain challenges. This study aims to design a low-cost and simple prototype suitable for
educational and research purposes.

Historical Context: Wireless power traces back to Nikola Tesla’s experiments in the late
19th century.

Current Standards: The SAE J2954 standard is the global benchmark, defining power levels
(3.7 kW to 22 kW) and an 85 kHz resonant frequency.

Technology Comparison: Research indicates that while conductive charging is slightly more
efficient (95%+), modern resonant inductive systems now achieve 90–93% efficiency,
rivaling wired methods.

Proposed System and Methodology

The proposed system consists of transmitter and receiver sections. The transmitter
converts AC supply into high frequency AC using rectifier and inverter circuits. The
transmitter coil generates an alternating magnetic field. The receiver coil captures this field
and converts it back into DC to charge a battery. The system is designed with safety,
efficiency and reliability in mind.

The system is divided into two main units:

[1] Ground Assembly (Transmitter):

(a) AC Supply: Converts 220V/50Hz grid power.

(b) HF Inverter: Transforms DC into high-frequency AC (typically 20–150 kHz).

(c) Compensation Network: Uses capacitors to achieve resonance, maximizing power

transfer.

[2] Vehicle Assembly (Receiver):

(a) Receiving Coil: Captures the alternating magnetic flux.

(b) Rectifier & Filter: Converts high-frequency AC back to DC.

(c) Battery Management System (BMS): Regulates the voltage to safely charge the EV
battery.

Results and Discussion

The experimental setup successfully demonstrated wireless power transfer. The system
charged a battery without physical contact. Efficiency decreased with increased distance
and misalignment. The results validate the effectiveness of inductive coupling for
short-distance charging.

Experimental data from similar prototypes show that efficiency is highly sensitive to
alignment and air gap distance.

•Efficiency: Systems can reach up to 94% under optimal alignment.

•Distance: Effective charging is maintained within an 8–20 cm air gap.

•Misalignment: A shift of more than 3 cm can significantly drop power transfer, often
requiring AI-based alignment assistance or mechanical movable arms.

Advantages and Applications

The system offers multiple advantages including improved safety, reduced maintenance,
weatherproof operation, user convenience and future scalability for smart city
infrastructure.

•Safety: No exposed connectors; works in rain, snow, or ice.

•Durability: Reduced wear and tear on charging ports.

•Applications: Residential garages, public parking lots, taxi ranks, and transit bus stops.

Future Scope
•Dynamic Charging: Charging EVs while in motion using "electric roads" embedded with
coils.

•Bidirectional Power (V2G): Allowing EVs to send power back to the grid during peak
demand.

•Standardization: Global harmonization of protocols to ensure any EV can use any wireless
pad.
Conclusion
Wireless charging using inductive coupling is a promising solution for future
transportation. The developed prototype demonstrates feasibility and highlights areas for
further improvement.

Wireless charging using inductive coupling is a transformative technology for the EV

ecosystem. By achieving high efficiency and superior user convenience, it addresses the
practical barriers to mass EV adoption. While installation costs remain high, the integration
with autonomous driving and smart cities marks it as the future of refueling.

References
[1] IEEE Research Paper Reference on Wireless Power Transfer and EV Charging.

[2] SAE International J2954 Standard.

[3] "Wireless Power Transfer for Electric Vehicles," ScienceDirect.

[4] "Critical Review of Wireless Charging Technologies," MDPI Journal.