How Wireless Car Chargers Work With Phones

Wireless charging uses magnetic fields to transfer energy from a charger to a battery. Wireless phone chargers are game-changers when it comes to convenience, and it's even possible to use wireless phone charging in your car. Here's a look at how wireless charging in a car works, as well as how to take advantage of this technology.

How Does Wireless Charging Work?

Wireless charging technology is also referred to as inductive charging. A base station generates an electric field, which transfers energy to a compatible device via inductive coupling.

This type of charging is less efficient than charging systems that use conductive couplings, but because you don't have to plug them in, wireless chargers are easy and incredibly convenient to use.

Instead of plugging in a charger, set your phone or another compatible device on the wireless charging base station, and the device automatically starts to charge.

Wireless charging has been around longer than you might think. If you've seen an Oral-B electric toothbrush, you've seen inductive charging in action. Braun has been using this technology since the early 1990s.

While other industries were slower to adopt the technology, the first cellphone with built-in inductive charging was launched in 2009. The Wireless Power Consortium introduced the Qi standard in 2009, allowing interoperability between chargers and devices made by different companies.

Inductive Charging in Automotive Applications

The first automotive use of inductive charging was with electric vehicles. As far back as the late 1990s, a system called Magne Charge used inductive coupling to charge electric cars. It was replaced by standard conductive coupling in the early 2000s.

Although inductive couplings are inherently safer in such applications, conductive couplings, with additional built-in safeguards, won out because inductive chargers aren't as energy-efficient as conductive chargers.

Today, inductive charging has made a reappearance in the automotive world, with wireless car chargers and mounts readily available for vehicles.

How to Charge Your Phone Wirelessly in Your Car

Some cars come with an OEM-installed charging station. If your car doesn't have one, there are many aftermarket wireless charging setups available.

If your phone doesn't support wireless charging and you don't want to upgrade, inexpensive wireless charging adapters are a possibility. Some can be installed directly into a phone case.

The two wireless standards are Powermat and Qi. Today, Qi is the leader in the smartphone world, especially since Apple chose Qi for its devices in 2017. If you own a phone that's Qi-compatible, look for a Qi-based charger.

Built-In Automotive Wireless Phone Chargers

Most car manufacturers that offer built-in wireless phone chargers use Qi wireless charging systems. Some, including GM and Mercedes, support both Powermat and NFC charging to expand the range of their wireless charging compatibility.

Select models from Chevrolet, Lexus, Cadillac, BMW, Audi, Buick, Chrysler, Ford, Jeep, Honda, and more offer built-in charging. If your model doesn't support this technology, consider installing an aftermarket charger.

Aftermarket Automotive Wireless Phone Chargers

Suppose you're one of the many vehicle owners whose cars aren't equipped with wireless chargers. In that case, some excellent aftermarket chargers are available.

Most automotive wireless chargers have a sleek form factor that fits well into a car's design, including cradles, pads, holsters, and chargers that fit in a cup holder.

Prices can vary, from Belkin's $124 Boost Up Wireless Charging Dock to the $18.99 Yootech Wireless Charger. Before you buy, check out your options and find one with a design and price you like.