WiTricity is teaming up with ABT e-Line to bring aftermarket wireless EV charging to Europe, the two companies have announced. If you follow the aftermarket, ABT e-Line is a division of ABT Sportsline, well known for tuning Volkswagen and Audi vehicles. So it’s little surprise ABT e-Line will start by upgrading the Volkswagen ID.4 to support wireless charging from WiTricity with a target availability of early 2024.
Following the ID.4, ABT e-Line plans to incorporate WiTricity wireless charging technology to the Audi e-Tron GT, Porsche Taycan, and Volkswagen ID.Buzz models. ABT e-Line will use WiTricity’s magnetic resonance technology to add wireless charging capabilities to those vehicles, as the companies hope to accelerate the adoption of wireless charging by deploying the first aftermarket solutions in Europe.
This is just one of several partnerships WiTricity has in the works. Recently, the company also announced it has teamed up with China’s YuTong to deliver wireless charging to its autonomous buses. This collaboration with ABT e-Line should be fruitful considering ABT Sportsline’s reputation in the region. There are very few Volkswagen and Audi enthusiasts in Europe who haven’t heard of ABT Sportsline if they follow the aftermarket at all. The company works closely with Volkswagen and has had its eyes on e-mobility since 2009. In 2013, ABT created the first electric-converted VW Caddy. Five years later, ABT e-Line was created so a separate division could focus solely on e-mobility.
“We’re thrilled to see the simplicity and convenience of wireless charging expand to vehicles in Europe through this partnership with one of the leading companies in automotive upgrade and aftermarket solutions,” said Alex Gruzen, CEO, WiTricity. “Our proven, automotive-grade charging solutions will help address many of the electrification challenges by making charging as easy as parking.”
