Many drivers have long dreamed of the day when charging an all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle would be as easy as refueling a conventional model. Continental will be demonstrating at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES, January 9 to 12, 2018) in Las Vegas, its two new battery charging systems, both of which help to maximise the inherent advantages of electric vehicles.

 

Designed for ultimate convenience, Continental’s automatic wireless charging system transfers charging power inductively, which means that drivers no longer have to grapple with a cable. This system is accompanied by a new Continental micro navigation solution that allows the vehicle to be positioned precisely over the ground-based charging pad. In the future, further advances in the field of semi-automated driving technology will make it possible to do this without any driver action.

 

The second innovative system from Continental – AllCharge – has the potential to revolutionise cable-based charging. The AllCharge system eliminates the driver apprehension of finding a compatible charging station. AllCharge technology can utilise any charging point, whatever the charging rate, type of current or voltage level. As well as being flexible and efficient, AllCharge offers a further advantage as it allows the EV to double as a mobile power bank capable of supplying AC power off-board without the need for additional equipment. In this role, the vehicle can be used to provide power for a range of scenarios, from tailgate parties to powering tradesmen’s equipment on construction sites.

 

“Continental offers an unrivaled range of charging technologies developed on the basis of our extensive cross-divisional know-how,” says Brian McKay, Director Powertrain Technology & Innovation Continental North America. “The innovative technologies we are showcasing at CES will make charging an electric vehicle simpler, more convenient and more efficient. This means that the widely discussed issue of range anxiety will soon become largely irrelevant. Additionally, to bring additional features to the consumer, our AllCharge system gives electric vehicles the added utility to serve as a mobile energy source.”