Tesla’->ke1842s auto-charging robot arm isn’t expected to be available in the foreseeable future, but if Model S->ke3329 owners are pining for a wireless charger for their electric->ke1030 sedan,->ke142 a new option is scheduled to hit the market as early as April 2016.
The device comes by way of Evatran, the company behind the Plugless Power wireless charging system that already offers wireless charging options for the Chevrolet Volt,->ke2721 Nissan Leaf,->ke3484 and Cadillac ELR.->ke4346 The Model S is set to become the next model to get a Plugless Power system with deliveries expected to commence sometime in April. For now, only the rear-wheel-drive versions will get the system with the AWD “D” variants expected to get theirs sometime in the latter stages of the year.
Evatran has not given a definite price on the Model S-compatible wireless charger, but those interested in the product must make a deposit of $244 to get added into the first wave of orders. That said, it’s unlikely that the wireless charger will cost more than $3,000. It might not even breach $2,500 considering that the ELR version of the wireless charger costs just $1,940. By comparison, the Volt version sells for $1,260 while the Leaf version costs $1,540.
Those who do end up buying the product will receive a 7.2-kW system that requires a 50-amp circuit to be installed in a garage or outdoors. A 35-pound adapter is also part of the package. This adapter will be installed by an Evatran-certified technician into the mechanicals of the Model S to help in the charging process. While the system doesn’t promise to be a game-changing item in the world of EVs, it does promise as much as 20 miles of range into the Model S for every hour that the car is charging. That may not seem much, but it should cover the daily rounds of errands that a Model S owner could have in any given day.
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Why it matters
This is good news for owners of the Tesla Model S, although I do feel that these people should still exercise caution if they’re going to try this product out. I’ve nothing against Evatran and its Plugless Power wireless charging system, but I’m just the type who prefers to get an accessory, whatever it may be, that’s straight out of the company itself. That’s why I’m still keeping a close eye on how development of Tesla’s auto-charging robot arm progresses. If the company announces that the technology will arrive soon, I’m going to hold off on making any purchases of another kind of wireless charging system.
It just eliminates a lot of the potential risks that come with using an accessory that’s not directly offered from the manufacturer. This wireless charger may work extremely well, and in fact, I do believe that it does have its benefits. But what happens when something goes wrong and the Model S suffers because of it. I don’t think that’s going to be covered by Tesla’s warranty. I prefer to err on the side of caution on things like this and it’s why I only use Apple accessories on my Apple products.
Of course, I’m not trying to discourage people from buying the Plugless Power system, because I do believe that it’s a quick solution to the need for a wireless charger. I’m just the type who believes that it’s in my best interest to prefer an in-house-developed product developed on something as potentially important as a wireless charger system.
That’s just me though. I won’t fault anybody who disagrees with my admittedly overcautious approach. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Tesla Model S
Read our full review on the Tesla Model S here.