Government Leads International Standardization of Wireless Charging Technology for Electric Vehicles

KATS Hosts International Standardization Meeting on High-Power Wireless Charging Technology for Electric Vehicles

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The government and Korean companies are leading the international standardization of wireless charging technology, which is considered a key infrastructure for the expansion of electric vehicle adoption.

The National Institute of Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held an international standardization meeting on the 15th to establish international standards for high-power wireless charging technology during parking, proposed by Korea. More than 30 experts, including domestic university and company specialists from KAIST, Hyundai Motor Company, WiPowerOne, and overseas experts from seven countries including the United States, Germany, Switzerland, and Israel, participated online.

Wireless charging is a next-generation charging method that allows charging simultaneously with parking and also while driving. While countries around the world are promoting technology development and demonstration projects, Korea and Japan are competing to secure international standards.

At the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), active technical discussions are underway on six international standard proposals: three proposed by Korea and three by Japan. Japan has led the international standardization of wireless charging technology during parking by proposing three standard drafts. However, Japan’s standards only regulate wireless charging with output of 11 kW or less, which has limited technological growth.

Accordingly, Korea proposed an international standard for high-power wireless charging technology of 50 kW or more, equivalent to rapid chargers, to the IEC in July last year, promoting the international standardization of innovative technology. This proposal successfully passed the first gate of international standard establishment, the adoption of a new work item, in December last year. If 50 kW wireless charging is commercialized, it will be possible to charge up to 80% of battery capacity in about one hour. Even about one minute of charging while waiting at intersections can provide enough power to drive approximately 4 to 5 km.

The meeting was held as the first technical discussion of the project team formed to establish international standards for high-power wireless charging technology after the adoption of the new work item (NP). The discussion focused mainly on the coil structure, a core component of wireless chargers. In addition, Korea is leading the international standardization in the field of charging while driving, another innovative technology for electric vehicle wireless charging, by proposing two international standard drafts in this area.

The National Institute of Technology and Standards plans to hold another international standardization meeting for electric vehicle wireless charging in July to lead discussions on the international standardization of the wireless charging technology while driving proposed by Korea. Charging while driving is expected to be first applied to buses operating on fixed routes. Since it allows charging the battery while driving, it is expected to act as a catalyst for the expansion of electric vehicle adoption.

Lee Sanghoon, head of the National Institute of Technology and Standards, said, "Based on innovative technologies such as high-power charging during parking and charging while driving, Korea is now able to lead the international standardization of electric vehicle wireless charging technology," adding, "As interest in electric vehicle wireless charging infrastructure is increasing among automobile-related companies, we will secure international standards to support Korean companies’ entry into the global market."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.