Tesla Shelves Wireless Charging Plans for Cybertruck
Tesla appears to have abandoned plans for a wireless charging option for its highly anticipated Cybertruck,despite initial teasers suggesting otherwise. Engineers determined the technology wasn’t currently viable, citing notable practical challenges.
Originally, the cybertruck was envisioned with wireless charging capabilities for convenient home use. However,Wes Morrill,a lead engineer on the project,explained that the vehicle’s ample ground clearance rendered the idea impractical. He stated that a wireless charging station capable of reaching the truck would need to be at least 15 centimeters tall – an unworkable height for most garages and public parking areas. The increased distance between the charging transmitter and the vehicle’s receiver also drastically reduced charging efficiency.
Beyond height concerns,Tesla explored integrating the wireless charging components into a deeper section of the Cybertruck’s trunk. This design was ultimately scrapped after user testing revealed difficulty accessing items stored at the bottom. tesla had previously acquired a company specializing in wireless charging, but later divested most of its assets, retaining only a portion of the team. The Cybertruck was initially slated to be the frist Tesla vehicle to benefit from this technology,but technical hurdles and efficiency issues ultimately led to the project’s cancellation.
The decision also appears to be influenced by slower-than-expected Cybertruck sales. With Tesla struggling to reach an annual sales target of 20,000 units, developing specialized accessories like a wireless charger became less financially justifiable for a vehicle with a relatively limited customer base. Consequently, similar plans for the upcoming Cybercab, another tesla vehicle intended to support wireless charging, are now on hold, and possibly abandoned altogether.
