The Genesis GV60, Hyundai luxury brand’s first dedicated electric car, is set to debut next year and will feature a first in segment technology. The model will be one of the first global-market EVs to have wireless charging as standard equipment.
The Hardware
WiTricity, an American wireless power expert, designed the wireless charger for the 2022 Genesis GV60. The exact powertrain parameters are yet unknown, however, Genesis claims a range of 270 miles on a single charge. If that’s the case, we expect the GV60 to be equipped with the same 58 kWh or 77.4 kWh battery pack as the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, with a range of 250 to 270 miles.
According to WiTricity, this is the first time the technology will be used in a new battery-electric car. Several Chinese entrants, which have embraced simplified versions for the technology, might arrive around the same time in early 2022, or perhaps beat the GV60 by a whisker. However, none of those models, unlike the GV60, appear to be destined for the United States and Europe.
The Test Bed
Initially, the technology will only be available in South Korea. In the later part of next year, the brand will test the wireless charging technology on the GV60 as part of a test, or pilot program, in that market. Genesis could not clarify whether and when wireless technology will be provided in the United States. However, it’s more than probable that this is a technological edge that will be extended to other markets.
For years, wireless charging has been offered as an aftermarket retrofit, but it has remained a niche offering. Inductive technology works by transferring electricity through a magnetic field between two coils, allowing the EV’s battery pack to be charged over several hours without the need for a physical connection. It is pretty similar to what happens inside an electric transformer.
What’s The Point?
In electric vehicles, wireless charging has a lot of promise because it may allow drivers to charge everywhere they go, at shopping malls, for example, or in snow and cold weather without having to get out of the car and fiddle with a hefty charge connection and connector. Simply said, a parking tool would ensure that the car is aligned for the best charging position.
Conclusion
Genesis hasn’t released any technical details about the GV60, but the Ioniq 5 and EV6 both have a 77.4-kWh battery pack that should allow for more than 300 miles of range in some versions, and they’re serious about charging including fast DC fast charging and bi-directional capability that could be used for future smart-home features. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, which is the first vehicle in the parent company’s mass-market EV effort, is expected to outperform the Tesla Model Y in terms of range regained. Also, BMW has been testing the technology in select 5-Series plug-in hybrids, but the findings haven’t been released yet.
For the time being, the biggest challenge will be persuading enough stakeholders to install the charging pads and hardware. Automakers, company owners, and customers possibly even charging networks all fall into this category. And if a high-end company like Genesis joins in, it might be the beginning of something big.
