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This May BMW and Siemens are set to introduce what innovation that may radically change the electric car industry?

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Answer: Wireless charging. According to a Siemens press release, "Starting in May, a prototype with a charging power of 3.6 kilowatts will be tested in an electric vehicle."

The release also details how the system works.

"The charging station is connected to the public grid by a primary coil that is completely underground. A secondary coil is attached to the car, and the distance between the two coils is typically between eight and 15 centimeters. When the driver starts the charging process, an electric current begins to flow through the primary coil. The resulting magnetic field induces an electric current in the secondary coil, which recharges the battery. Electricity is transmitted from the grid through all of the components to the battery at an efficiency of more than 90 percent. The magnetic field is generated only in an exactly predetermined area between the two coils. The system therefore generates a magnetic field whose strength in and around the vehicle is far below the internationally recommended limit of 6.25 microteslas." 

http://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news_events/ct_pressreleases/e_research_news/2011/e_22_resnews_1111_1.htm