It’s finally here: Porsche puts wireless EV charging into production [video]

Porsche has started offering wireless charging on its Cayenne Electric SUV, letting owners charge without plugging in a cable. A charging pad on the underside of the car pairs with a ground pad installed in a parking space, so the car starts charging automatically once parked over it. Porsche says the outdoor ground pad is weatherproof, charges at up to 11 kW, and runs at about 90% efficiency, which it says is fine for overnight charging.

The system uses a magnetic field to send power between the two pads, with built-in motion sensors and object detection meant to stop charging automatically if a person, animal, or metal object gets near the pad and starts heating up.

This is mainly relevant if you own or are considering a Porsche Cayenne Electric, since the feature is tied to that specific model. It's rolling out in stages, and right now it's only available to order in Germany and other European markets, with no word yet on when or if it will reach other countries. For most homeowners, this doesn't change anything about home charging setups today, but it's a sign that wireless charging pads, installed in a driveway or garage floor much like the ground pad described here, could eventually become an option alongside plug-in home chargers as automakers build the technology into more vehicles.