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Please provide an overview of wireless electronic vehicle charging companies, the differences, advantages/disadvantages, stages of development, and how the technology works?
Hi there, and thanks for giving us the opportunity to answer your request with more precision! I understand that you'd like a competitive analysis of WEVC companies relative to their differences, dis/advantages, development stage and the functionality of their technology. A typical Wonder competitive analysis includes 4 companies, so I have included in this spreadsheet an analysis of Hevo Power, Witricity, Plugless and Momentum Dynamics. I notice that you have requested a report on all the companies in the space, which is outside the scope of a single Wonder request. If you'd like us to continue research on additional companies, just let us know! We'll be happy to continue researching as a separate request.
METHODOLOGY
I first researched WEVC to ascertain the companies covered in recent, prominent media coverage for the industry. Based on this research, Hevo Power and Plugless were the most frequently mentioned. I next researched the competitor set for these two companies, and provided Witricity as a third competitor based on similarity of funding and revenue. Multiple companies in the larger competitor set are listed as competitors based on their technology or components which contribute to WEVC systems, including several companies included in the previous Wonder response. But as this did not seem to be the most relevant response to your request, I chose the final competitor - Momentum Dynamics - based on its relevant specificity to WEVC, its inclusion in the link you provided, and its inclusion in recent industry media articles. All links used in the spreadsheet are also cited in the spreadsheet.
TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW
The functionality for wireless EV charging is essentially the same across the industry: a electrically-connected wall unit is physically connected to a charging pad, the latter of which is placed underneath the vehicle. Electricity is transmitted from the wall unit to the charging pad via the cabled/wired connection. Magnetic resonance is then used to transmit power from the wired charging pad to the secondary pad, which is affixed the the underside of the vehicle (in aftermarket products) or built directly into the vehicle (OEM build). Lastly, an on-board controller transfers the power from the secondary charging pad to the vehicle batteries. Currently, the technology is limited to charging while the vehicle is at rest; but key players in the industry envision the potential for EVs to be recharged while driving, via coils integrated into roadways.
The technology itself works as follows: "The basic wireless charging system uses two coils. The primary coil, encased in a pad that sits on the floor of a garage or parking structure, is connected to a power source. Alternating current flows from an outlet into the coil, creating an electromagnetic field that enables the power to jump to a secondary coil in a pad attached to the bottom of the vehicle. When the vehicle parks in the proper position over the primary coil, an indicator light goes on and charging begins. The two coils must be within about 8 inches of each other for effective charging."
It should be noted that, while each company has unique intellectual property designs, the technology itself varies very little among competitors. Differences among competitors is primarily limited to "slight variations in controls and hardware design, such as coil shapes." Research for future applications include higher power systems (for use with public transportation, transport fleets, and other high-use vehicles) and greater energy transfer efficiency.
CONCLUSION
To wrap it up: I have provided a competitive analysis of four key players in the WEVC industry in this spreadsheet, per our typical scope for a single Wonder response, as well as a general overview of the technology. if you would like us to continue researching additional competitors, please let us know; another researcher will be happy to pick up where I have left off. Thanks so much for asking Wonder, and please let us know if we can research anything else for you!