The INLADE project conducted an in-depth examination of the technical, regulatory, and operational feasibility of inductive charging for electric vehicles in Switzerland. The focus was on converting several VW ID.5 vehicles, installing wireless charging stations, and testing the system’s performance under real-world conditions. The successful integration of WiTricity charging systems into the vehicles and the implementation of the necessary control, safety, and cooling systems demonstrated that induction charging can be reliably integrated into existing vehicles from a technical standpoint. Obtaining regular, unrestricted road approval for all converted vehicles was a major success of the project. This is all the more remarkable given that inductive charging is not yet clearly addressed in internationally harmonized specifications for vehicle approval, and that case-by-case evidence is therefore required. The project thus demonstrates a viable regulatory path that can serve as a benchmark for future retrofit and original equipment solutions. The lack of a declaration of conformity from the charging station supplier also posed a challenge. Consequently, it was necessary, on the one hand, to conduct risk analyses and, on the other hand, to limit the use of the charging stations to sites owned by Eniwa and Empa. Network efficiency and quality measurements conducted by Empa show that the tested system, with a grid-to-battery efficiency of approximately 90%, competes directly with conductive AC charging and behaves very stably within the specified positioning tolerance ranges. The system’s high efficiency results from optimized coil geometry, resonant coupling, and low-loss power electronics. Transmission losses caused by the air gap are less than 2%, which is achieved thanks to the high quality of the resonant circuit. Further efficiency gains are entirely possible thanks to technological advancements. Comparative measurements performed on the same vehicle using conductive charging yielded a grid-to-battery efficiency of 94%. The efficiency of inductive charging is therefore only slightly lower than the conductive reference value (4%). Even under more challenging environmental conditions, such as cold weather, precipitation, or ice formation, transmission efficiency remained virtually unchanged. Grid quality studies also confirmed that there was no flicker, harmonics, or critical voltage distortions. At this time, it is not yet possible to determine with certainty to what extent the achieved efficiency is sufficient for bidirectional operation. Eniwa plans to conduct a study on bidirectional charging, taking into account the results of the INLADE project, in order to derive requirements such as the efficiency of these systems for industrial use. In addition, user acceptance was assessed and analyzed using a systematic survey conducted at the beginning and end of the project. The results show that perceived benefits and attitudes toward induction charging have a clearly positive influence on the acceptance of this technology. Practical experience further improved attitudes toward this technology, while initial concerns—particularly regarding safety and efficiency—were significantly alleviated. Beyond the technical and operational results, the project also provides essential regulatory insights: the existing legal framework is internally consistent and clearly reflects the traditional separation between the vehicle and the charging infrastructure—however, inductive charging systematically crosses this boundary, as the relevant electromagnetic compatibility and field behavior (EMC/EMF) only manifest in the coupled overall system and are therefore not fully represented in the current classification. Overall, the project thus demonstrates not only technical performance and practical feasibility, but also the need for a more precise regulatory link between vehicles and infrastructure.
