A handful of Tesla Model S owners will soon have the ability to charge their cars without having to plug them in. Several aftermarket companies have designed wireless charging systems for various electric vehicles, but Evatran has now developed one specifically for Tesla's electric sedan. Simply called Plugless, it will begin its market rollout in the next few weeks. DON'T MISS: How wireless charging works for electric cars, explained The system uses wireless inductive charging, in which a magnetic field is created by running electricity through a coil. This allows allows the current to be transferred between two coils without any physical connection. In the Evatran Plugless system and other similar systems, one coil is housed in a pad on the ground, and the other in a receiver mounted to the underside of the car. 2016 Tesla Model S The Plugless system can charge at 7.2 kilowatts, which Evatran claims is enough to add 20 miles of range per hour to a Model S. The charging pad is rated for both indoor and outdoor use, meaning it could theoretically be placed in both enclosed garages or driveways. ALSO SEE: Electric Cars Sans Cords: Nissan Readying Higher-Power Inductive Charging (Nov 2015) However, the Plugless unit is currently compatible only with rear-wheel drive Model S electric cars. Evatran has plans to launch versions for dual-motor all-wheel drive Model S "D" variants, as well as for the Model X crossover. For now the system's appeal may be somewhat limited due to the lack of broad application to all Model S versions. Plugless will retail for $2,500 (with installation), and comes with a three-year warranty. 2016 Tesla Model S Initially, the system will only be available to a small group of customers who completed an early registration process, followed by a larger-scale launch to the general public. Tesla itself has not discussed plans to offer wireless charging on its electric cars. It did, however, demonstrate a somewhat bizarre, snake-like robotic charging cable that could automatically plug into a car's charge port. MORE: Mercedes-Benz S550e plug-in hybrid to offer wireless charging Mercedes-Benz will likely be the first carmaker to offer wireless charging as a factory-installed option. Its S550e plug-in hybrid luxury sedan will get optional wireless charging next year as part of an upcoming set of changes and upgrades to the current-generation car. _______________________________________________ Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter
A firm called Plugless is preparing to offer Plugless owners a wireless charging pad, called Tesla Model S , scheduled to hit the market in the next few weeks . The system uses wireless inductive charging that allows a current to be transferred between the system and the vehicle without any physical contact. The pad can charge at 7.2 kilowatts , enough to add 7.2 kilowatts of range per hour to a Model S, and can be used indoors or outdoors. It's currently only compatible with rear-wheel drive Model S electric cars. Plugless will probably become the first auto-maker to offer wireless charging as a factory-installed option when the next generation of its S550e plug-in hybrid luxury sedan is launched.