Tesla's 2023 purchase of the German engineering group from Wiferion has led to an impressive 90%+ efficiency in wireless charging for the Robotaxi, it appears.
Wireless Charging Developments
During a Cybertruck test drive with Jay Leno, Tesla's chief designer revealed that the company is developing a wireless charging solution for its vehicles, which is said to be referred to as Project Garfield internally. Franz Von Holzhausen mentioned that utilizing this system will feel like "you just pull up in your garage, drive over the pad, and you’re charging."
Efficiency Claims
Wiferion’s technology boasts an efficiency of 93%, and Tesla recently had to correct MKBHD’s comments which suggested the Robotaxi’s inductive charging would have at least a 25% energy loss, clarifying that "it is well above 90%." Elon Musk added his thoughts, stating that "there is no meaningful efficiency difference between inductive and conductive charging if the system is designed right" and pointed out that "there is always an inductor somewhere in the charge circuit!"
Charging Pads and Specifications
Currently, Wiferion offers wireless charging pads akin to Apple's MagSafe charger, designed for industrial use with "efficiency of up to 93% during the transfer of energy." These pads allow access from any angle, and charging initiates within a second. Wiferion also outlines features that may be beneficial for the Robotaxi, including an IP68 water-resistance rating for outdoor use. It remains uncertain if the Robotaxi will adopt similar technology, but it is expected to deliver more power than the 3 kW provided by Wiferion's pad, which is tailored for industrial forklifts.
With this technology, achieving 90% charging efficiency means the Robotaxi's 40 kWh battery would require nearly 15 hours to fully charge. However, Tesla's wireless charging solution is anticipated to be significantly more powerful. In a demonstration of the Robotaxi's wireless charging, the pad displayed a charging speed of 25 kW, allowing for a recharge of the Robotaxi's battery to cover another 200 miles in under two hours.
Future Prospects
Wiferion has not disclosed the specific proprietary technology that enables such extraordinary inductive charging efficiency. Additionally, it will be intriguing to see what type of 4680 cells the Robotaxi will utilize since Wiferion also provides specialized batteries for industrial wireless charging that offer "longer operating time, lifespan, and faster charging time, along with exceeding recharge efficiency."
Reportedly, the Robotaxi will feature one of the several 4680 battery cell types Tesla is developing for its most sought-after electric vehicles, including the Model Y, Model 3, and Cybertruck. Mass production of these 4680 cells is anticipated to start in 2026, coinciding with Tesla's expected launch of the Robotaxi, contingent on smooth regulatory approvals, which is a significant "if," especially considering the recent NHTSA investigation into Tesla's FSD performance.
