Cars & Wireless Charging: What You Need to Know
Wireless charging is an added convenience that makes it easy for people to stay connected wherever they go. As this technology develops, wireless charging devices and hotspots have become more widespread. From wireless charging pads in fast food joints, cafes, and hotels, to portable wireless charging pads like those from Bezalel wireless technologies that you can bring around with you anywhere, it seems there’s no stopping the growth of this innovation
But it doesn’t stop there. In 2011, the prospect of in-car wireless charging took the automotive industry by storm through Chevrolet’s introduction of Powermat (now known as PMA), which it implemented in its Volt model in 2016. Soon after, other automotive manufacturers like BMW, Toyota, and Lexus have integrated wireless charging in their newest models.
Currently, there are two wireless charging standards available: Qi and PMA. Still, most car manufacturers use the Qi standard.
Not all phones can be charged wirelessly out of the box. You have to either use a wireless charging adapter, or a wireless charging-enabling case to activate this function. Some car manufacturers also offer optional phone accessories (sold separately) that you can snap onto your phone to enable it to make use of your car’s wireless charging tray.
As of June 2017, here are the cars with wireless charging capabilities:
Audi
- Audi A4
- Audi Q7
BMW
- BMW 7 Series
- M Series (2017)
- X3 (2017)
- X5 (2017)
- 3 Series (2017)
- 4 Series (2017)
- 6 Series (2017)
Cadillac
- Cadillac ATS
- Cadillac CTS
- Cadillac CT6
- Cadillac ELR
- Cadillac Escalade
- Cadillac XT5
Chevrolet
- Chevrolet Camaro (2016)
- Chevrolet Colorado (2017)
- Chevrolet Cruze (2016)
- Chevrolet Cruze (2017)
- Chevrolet Impala (2016)
- Chevrolet Malibu (2016)
- Chevrolet Malibu (2017)
- Chevrolet Silverado (2015)
- Chevrolet Silverado(2016)
- Chevrolet Silverado(2017)
- Chevrolet Suburban (2015)
- Chevrolet Suburban (2016)
- Chevrolet Tahoe(2015)
- Chevrolet Tahoe (2016)
- Chevrolet Tahoe (2017)
- Chevrolet Volt (2016)
- Chevrolet Volt (2017)
Ford
- Ford Edge (2011)
- Ford Edge (2012)
- Ford Edge (2013)
- Ford Edge (2014)
- Ford F150 (2011)
- Ford F150 (2012)
- Ford F150 (2013)
- Ford F150 (2014)
- Ford Fusion (2013)
- Ford Fusion (2014)
- Ford Fusion (2015)
- Ford Super Duty (2011)
- Ford Super Duty (2012)
- Ford Super Duty (2013)
- Ford Super Duty (2014)
- Ford Super Duty (2015)
GMC
- GMC Canyon (2017)
- GMC Denali (2015)
- GMC Denali (2016)
- GMC Sierra (2015)
- GMC Sierra (2016)
- GMC Yukon (2015)
- GMC Yukon (2016)
- GMC Yukon XL
Honda wireless charging
- Honda Accord (2016)
- Honda Civic (2016)
Lexus wireless charging
- Lexus LX 570 (2016)
- Lexus LX 570 (2017)
- Lexus NX300h
- Lexus NX300h (2017) – optional
- Lexus NX 200t F SPORT
- Lexus NX 200t
- Lexus NX Turbo (2017) – optional
- Lexus NX Turbo F Sport (2017) – optional
- Lexus RX 350 (2016)
Mercedes-Benz wireless charging
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Ssangyong wireless charging
- Ssangyong Chairman W (2014)
Toyota wireless charging
- Toyota Avalon (2013)
- Toyota Avalon (2014)
- Toyota Avalon (2015) – selected
- Toyota Avalon Touring
- Toyota Avalon XLE Premium
- Toyota Camry (2015)
- Toyota Camry (2016)
- Toyota Camry Hybrid (2016)
- Toyota Camry XLE
- Toyota Camry XSE
- Toyota Land Cruiser (2016)
- Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle (2016)
- Toyota Prius (2014)
- Toyota Prius (2015) – selected
- Toyota Prius Four
- Toyota Prius Four Touring
- Toyota Prius Hybrid (2017)
- Toyota Prius Plug-In hybrid (2016)
- Toyota Prius Three
- Toyota Prius Three Touring
- Toyota Tacoma (2016)
- Toyota Tacoma (2017)
- Toyota Tacoma Limited
- Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
- Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport
Despite wireless charging now being more accessible to the average consumer, there are still certain things that must be tweaked for the consumer to fully enjoy this feature. For one, sizes of mobile handsets vary so it can be difficult to get a consistent charge despite certain charging trays being adjustable.
Secondly, there are car owners who use iPhones, and Apple has yet to release a phone that has a wireless charging option. The worst part is, if Apple does release an iPhone with a wireless charging feature, there is no guarantee if it will be compatible with the wireless charging standard integrated in today’s cars since rumor has it that Apple might create a proprietary wireless charging standard.
But although issues like these exist, in-car wireless charging remains to be a useful feature when you’re in a pinch and you have to maximize your smartphone’s battery. The concept of in-car wireless charging is still young, so there’s still plenty of room for it to evolve over the years.
This is a collaborative post by Tamara Gordon.
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.