LoginForget Cables, The Electric Cayenne Can Charge Hands-Free
- The new Cayenne EV will support inductive charging at speeds of up to 11 kW.
- Drivers align over the pad and the suspension automatically lowers for charging.
- The option will debut in Europe next year before landing in other markets.
Is plugging in your EV at home a little too difficult? Well, Porsche thinks it has the answer for you, announcing that the forthcoming all-electric Cayenne will debut with an optional inductive charging floor plate, meaning you’ll never have to deal with annoying charging cables ever again. That is, until you have to use a public charger, of course.
Read: Porsche’s Most Powerful SUV Could Be Its Most Controversial Yet
Porsche is not the only carmaker to have invested in wireless charging for its EVs, as Tesla’s upcoming Cybercab will also support inductive charging, and even the hybrid McLaren Speedtail included a compact charging pad several years ago. In the case of the electric Cayenne, it will support a receiver unit located between the front wheels, capable of supporting charging speeds of 11 kW.
How It Works
The floor plate contains all the necessary components to initiate charging over the air, although it does need to be plugged in with a cable. Charging will be as easy as driving the Cayenne EV above this plate and when the SUV is in position, the air suspension will automatically lower, reducing the distance between the two charging units to between four and six inches. Helping to guide drivers into the correct position will be the Cayenne’s Surround View parking function.
All energy transferred through the pad is monitored in the My Porsche app, giving owners an easy way to keep track of charging sessions.
Porsche has not said how quickly it will take to charge the electric Cayenne using the wireless charging pad, but 11 kW is the norm for standard household charging units, so it should be more than quick enough for a good overnight charge.
There’s also no word on how much the inductive charging will cost. What we do know is that it will launch in Europe next year before expanding to other regions, including North America.
About That Paint…
The carmaker will showcase the new system at next week’s IAA Mobility Show in Munich, Germany, alongside a camouflaged prototype of the electric Cayenne. The prototype features a striking fluorescent paint made up of five different tones, which glows with bright shades of light when exposed to alternating voltage.
