Wireless vs wired DC fast charging efficiency test
Bjørn Nyland1 HN recommender · recommended in 1 month, 2022–2025
demo · general · 2022–2025 on HN
Bjorn Nyland compares wireless and wired DC fast charging for an electric car, measuring end-to-end efficiency. The test shows the wireless system holding up well against a plug.
HN cites it as the evidence that inductive EV charging can match wired charging in efficiency.
Up next
3 mo on HNThe Internet is Worse Than Ever – Now What?
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
5 HN recommender · 2023–2025
7 mo on HNLonger-lasting light bulbs: it was complicated
Technology Connections
9 HN recommender · 2023–2026
2 mo on HNThe Car-Replacement Bicycle (the bakfiets)
Not Just Bikes
3 HN recommender · 2022–2026
15 mo on HNAround The Corner - How Differential Steering Works (1937)
US Auto Industry
17 HN recommender · 2013–2024
9 mo on HNCities Aren't Loud: Cars Are Loud
Not Just Bikes
10 HN recommender · 2021–2025
5 mo on HNHow Differential Gear works (BEST Tutorial)
ConceptVBS
5 HN recommender · 2013–2020
6 mo on HNA New Car UI: How touch screen controls in cars should work
Matthaeus Krenn
4 HN recommender · 2017–2023
5 mo on HNThese Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us
Not Just Bikes
11 HN recommender · 2023–2026
5 mo on HNThe 919 Tribute Tour: On-board record lap, Nordschleife.
Porsche
3 HN recommender · 2018–2026
6 mo on HNWhy Electric Bikes are More Dangerous than Motorcycles
FortNine
5 HN recommender · 2021–2025
5 mo on HNSpinning Levers - How A Transmission Works (1936)
US Auto Industry
5 HN recommender · 2018–2026
5 mo on HNAre Electric Cars Worse For The Environment? Myth Busted
Engineering Explained
5 HN recommender · 2018–2023
5 comments from Hacker News
Wireless charging can be surprisingly efficient. You should check out this video where wireless charging beats wired charging in end to end efficiency: ▶ this video In that case it’s probably more due to a particularly inefficient DC fast charger. (It’s been a long time since I watched it so I might not remember the details right.) In the end it doesn’t have to be exactly as efficient as wired charging, and probably never will be for a good implementation of a wired charger. It only has to be so close that you don’t care about the difference. I don’t think the inverse square law is very relevant on these scales. Electromagnetic radiation can be focused.
> There's zero chance this will make it into a production vehicle Wireless charging is in production. Here's one example: link Wireless charging can be as efficient as wired charging: ▶ this video link
> If there only was a system that could automatically disconnect Or just use wireless charging, then there are no cables. Wireless charging for EVs can be efficient: ▶ this video And wired charging is not as efficient as you might think: link
> How does that work for people who live in cities? With curbside charging, and wireless charging will be convenient once that's rolled out. No cables, just park over the charging plate. It's not like wireless phone charging. It's very efficient: link link ▶ this video
Efficient wireless charging is on the way for EVs: link ▶ this video No cables or charging posts mean lower maintenance costs and tidier parking spaces.