WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER

As electric vehicles become more prevalent across the globe, the urgency for safe, user-friendly, and efficient EV charging technology has greatly increased. Inductive Wireless Power Transfer (IWPT) has emerged as an alternative technology to traditional plug-in chargers due to the ability to transfer power without physical contact and without requiring a physical connection between the charger and vehicle. This review article combines findings from twenty peer-reviewed publications dated from 2021-2025 to provide a comprehensive overview of IWPT technology development for electric vehicles. These papers were classified into key topics related to IWPT technological advancements including: high- frequency power electronic converters; resonant compensation networks; designs of coils; electromagnetic design for free- wheel alignment; dynamic wireless charging systems; non- contact metering; and grid-integrated renewable coordination. The many IWPT technological advances detailed herein demonstrate significant increases in transfer efficiency, misalignment tolerance, electromagnetic safety, bidirectional capabilities (e.g., vehicle-to-grid, vehicle-to-vehicle energy exchange), and potential improvements through innovative methods such as metamaterial-assisted coupling, adaptive phase-shifting, reconfigurable pads, and artificial intelligence- assisted optimization of IWPT performance under real-world conditions. However, despite these IWPT technology advances, there are still challenges remaining regarding stability of dynamic charging; scaling up infrastructure deployment; reduction of harmonics; compliance with EMF standards; and establishment of IWPT metering standards. The content of this review outlines critical technology pathways required to transition IWPT from controlled research and laboratory prototype phases into fully (scalable, interoperable, and grid- supportive) EV charging solutions. To do this, current advances, areas of research opportunity, and future directions will be compiled.