Wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging, one of the many technologies being developed to overcome charging infrastructure challenges, is gaining traction and attention. One such solution, developed by German automotive supplier Mahle, is now recognized as the basis for the preferred wireless EV charging solution worldwide.

SAE International recently selected Mahle’s Differential Inductive Positioning System (DIPS) as its global standard for wireless charging. Earlier in November, SAE announced that its Wireless Power Transfer & Alignment Taskforce has completed a lengthy review process and selected DIPS as the technology alignment methodology for the SAE J2954 standard.

“EV charging should be as simple as parking in the right spot and walking away; SAE J2954 Standard enables this,” said Jesse Schneider, Chair of the SAE Wireless Power Transfer Task Force and CEO/CTO of ZEV Station. “The SAE J2954 Taskforce decided on the standardized alignment method DIPS, completing the standard, making a seamless and automated, all-weather wireless charging and parking. With this, the team has solved the missing link for wireless charging commercialization for EVs.”

The Mahle DIPS technology is based on a magnetic field generated by a charging pad—also called a ground assembly—and automatically establishes a connection with an embedded coil as an EV approaches. A special navigation system in the vehicle display guides the driver to the ideal position for the charging process, which begins automatically. This also works with an autonomous parking vehicle, where the parking system receives the necessary positioning instructions instead of the driver.

Mahle says its positioning system makes the parking and charging process simple, even in unfavorable environmental conditions, such as snow cover or wet leaves on the bottom plate.

“Mahle is setting standards,” said Arnd Franz, Chairman and CEO of Mahle. “The renowned SAE’s decision in favor of our technology confirms the systems expertise of Mahle in electrification as well.”

The company points out that all components relating to both the infrastructure and the vehicle side must be standardized for wireless EV charging to work and grow at scale. That standardization will enable vehicle manufacturers and infrastructure providers to bring a solution to market that ensures compatibility, regardless of the OEM.

With that in mind, Mahle also announced it will make its solution accessible to the entire industry through a license model under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) conditions. Mahle says that the broad applicability of its DIPS solution will enable the use of other mobile applications in the future, such as charging via induction coils while driving, a standard that Mahle has developed with Electreon Wireless.

In March, Electreon announced that it was jointly developing an advanced wireless vehicle kit based on its technology with Toyota Motor Corp. and Tier One supplier Denso Corp. The agreement followed a successful technology evaluation conducted at Electreon’s headquarters in Beit Yanai, Israel, demonstrating a RAV4 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle charging on the wireless road.

Mahle says it has long seen wireless charging as a promising EV charging infrastructure solution and has been working with other companies to make it a reality.

“Siemens and WiTricity are two strong partners at our side with whom we are jointly advancing the complete system of charging infrastructure and automotive engineering,” said Dr. Harald Straky, Head of Corporate Research and Advanced Engineering at Mahle.

With Siemens, Mahle is developing a complete system comprising infrastructure and automotive engineering for inductive charging systems. During its Tech Day earlier this year, the automotive supplier unveiled a new automated positioning system for this charging technology in which the vehicle detects the induction surface in the ground and provides positioning assistance to the driver.

Since 2018, Mahle has been working on the charging infrastructure for e-mobility, acquiring a license package from WiTricity for its magnetic resonance technology. Its “internal startup” chargeBIG has also developed a charging solution for EVs based on a centralized, scalable charging infrastructure concept for fleet operators and drivers who leave their cars in a parking lot all day. This has the advantage of requiring significantly less investment in infrastructure.

Kevin Jost contributed to this article.