Wireless Charging Technologies for Electric Vehicles: State of the Art and Future Outlook

Wireless charging technology for electric vehicles (EVs) represents a significant advancement in the transition to sustainable transportation, offering a convenient and efficient alternative to traditional plug-in charging systems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art wireless charging techniques, with a focus on inductive power transfer (IPT), resonant inductive coupling, and emerging capacitive and magnetic resonance methods. Key components of wireless charging systems, including power electronics, coil design, alignment techniques, and communication protocols, are discussed. We also address the challenges related to efficiency, safety, standardization, and scalability, particularly in dynamic charging systems designed for highway applications. The paper further explores the integration of wireless charging into smart grids, considering the potential for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications and renewable energy sources. A comparative analysis of existing technologies and their readiness for widespread adoption is provided, alongside an outlook on future trends, including high-power charging, autonomous charging infrastructure, and advances in materials and control algorithms. The paper concludes by identifying research gaps and potential directions for innovation in wireless charging for EVs.