Mercedes Plug-in Hybrid to Get Wireless Charger

Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit will introduce wireless inductive charging capability for its S550e plug-in hybrid when an updated version of the car bows next year.

A coil located in the vehicle’s floorboard charges the battery when it’s positioned over floor-mounted base plate containing a primary coil plugged into an electrical outlet.

A cockpit display helps drivers line up over the charging pad. The vehicle also can be guided into place via an automated parking feature.

Electricity is transferred at 3.6 kW with a 90% transmission rate, which Mercedes says is slightly less than that of a traditional wired system. As part of the mid-cycle upgrade, the S550e also will get a larger battery, moving from an 8.7-kWh unit to a 13.5-kWh pack.

Mercedes has been testing the wireless charger on prototype cars since last year. Pricing and installation costs for the system haven’t been announced.

In addition to the wireless technology, Mercedes will add a DC fast-charging system on all 2018 plug-in electric models. DC fast-charging can replenish 80% of the battery’s energy within about 30 minutes.