Wireless Power Transfer Technologies for Electric Vehicle Charging: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66238/jaeee39Keywords:
Wireless power transfer, electric vehicle charging, inductive charging, resonant coupling, dynamic wireless chargingAbstract
Wireless power transfer (WPT) offers a contactless method of charging electric vehicles (EVs) by transferring energy across an air gap between a ground-side transmitter and a vehicle-mounted receiver. The technology has attracted attention because it can simplify charging, support automated operation, and reduce dependence on exposed electrical connectors. This review examines the operating principles, system components, charging configurations, and practical challenges associated with wireless EV charging. Particular attention is given to inductive and resonant inductive power transfer, magnetic coupler design, compensation networks, power electronic converters, and static and dynamic charging applications. The review also discusses efficiency, electromagnetic safety, interoperability, cost, and integration with renewable energy and smart grids. Although laboratory and demonstration systems have shown the technical feasibility of wireless charging, performance depends on factors such as coil alignment, air-gap distance, load conditions, and system design. Wider deployment will require reliable operation, common standards, appropriate safety testing, and favorable economic performance. Future research should focus on improved misalignment tolerance, lower system losses, coordinated grid operation, and practical evaluation of dynamic charging infrastructure.
References
Li, S., & Mi, C. C. (2015). Wireless power transfer for electric vehicle applications. IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics, 3(1), 4–17. https://doi.org/10.1109/JESTPE.2014.2319453.
Musavi, F., & Eberle, W. (2014). Overview of wireless power transfer technologies for electric vehicle battery charging. IET Power Electronics. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-pel.2013.0047.
“A Review of Wireless Power Transfer Systems for Electric Vehicle Battery Charging with a Focus on Inductive Coupling.” (2022). Electronics, 11(9), 1355. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11091355.
“Modern Advances in Wireless Power Transfer Systems for Roadway Powered Electric Vehicles.” (2016). IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 63(10). https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7491313/.
“A review of wireless power transfer for electric vehicles: Prospects to enhance sustainable mobility.” (2016). Applied Energy. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261916309448.
Budhia, M., Boys, J. T., Covic, G. A., & Huang, C.-Y. (2013). Development of a single-sided flux magnetic coupler for electric vehicle IPT charging systems. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2011.2179274.
SAE International. (2022). SAE J2954: Wireless Power Transfer for Light-Duty Plug-in/Electric Vehicles and Alignment Methodology. https://saemobilus.sae.org/standards/j2954_202208-wireless-power-transfer-light-duty-plug-electric-vehicles-alignment-methodology.
International Electrotechnical Commission. IEC 61980 series: Electric vehicle wireless power transfer systems. https://webstore.iec.ch/searchform?q=IEC%2061980.
International Organization for Standardization. ISO 19363: Electrically propelled road vehicles—Magnetic field wireless power transfer—Safety and interoperability requirements. https://www.iso.org/search.html?q=ISO%2019363.
“Electric vehicle wireless charging technology: A state-of-the-art review of magnetic coupling systems.” (2014). Wireless Power Transfer. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/wireless-power-transfer/article/electric-vehicle-wireless-charging-technology-a-stateoftheart-review-of-magnetic-coupling-systems/FA955A930533CFABCA307C972DC94317.
“Application of wireless energy transmission technology in electric vehicles.” (2023). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 184, 113569. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032123004264.
“EMC of Inductive Automotive Charging Systems According to Standard SAE J2954.” (2023). World Electric Vehicle Journal, 5(4). https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8921/5/4/83.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Sophia Bennett

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in the Journal of Advanced Electrical and Electronic Engineering (JAEEE) are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Authors retain copyright of their work while granting the journal the right of first publication.
Under this license, users are permitted to read, download, copy, distribute, print, share, adapt, and reuse published material for both commercial and non-commercial purposes, provided appropriate credit is given to the original author(s), the source of publication is acknowledged, a link to the license is provided, and any changes made are clearly indicated.
The license does not permit users to imply endorsement by the original authors or the journal. No additional restrictions may be imposed that prevent others from exercising the rights granted under CC BY 4.0.
By submitting to the journal, authors confirm that their work is original, does not infringe upon third-party rights, and complies with ethical publishing standards.