Porsche's Wireless Charging Pad Goes on Sale in Europe
Porsche has launched orders for an 11 kW wireless charging pad for the Cayenne Electric in Germany and other European markets, marking the first such offering in Europe or North America. The system costs EUR 6,961.49, including both the floor pad and car-side hardware, with an efficiency of up to 90%.
Key Features:
- Installation: The charging pad must be permanently installed in the ground, requiring building alterations.
- Efficiency: Offers up to 90% efficiency compared to roughly 94% for a cable.
- Charging Speed: Adequate to fill the 113 kWh battery overnight, significantly faster than phone charging.
- Safety: Radar sensors interrupt power if they detect metal, animals, or people.
- Integration: Utilizes liquid-cooled receivers and air-cooled transmitters, bypassing the onboard charger directly.
Pricing:
- Floor Pad (Germany): EUR 5,116.99
- Car-Side Hardware (Germany): EUR 1,844.50
- Pre-Installation: EUR 226.10
Regulatory Considerations:
Europe's "right to plug" is limited. Article 14(8) of the recast buildings directive asks member states to streamline installation processes but does not mandate pre-equiping existing blocks. France has the strongest regulations, providing co-owners with a three-month objection period based on legitimate grounds. Other countries, including Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Britain, have varying degrees of coverage, typically focusing on building owners rather than tenants.
Market Rollout:
The pad will be introduced in other Porsche markets gradually, with one exception: China, where inductive charging is already established and Xiaomi is launching a robotic arm to automate cable connections.