Ask Me a Question: 4 Answers to Your In-Vehicle Wireless Charging Questions
Almost everyone nowadays owns a smartphone. If you rely heavily on yours for daily tasks, running out of battery power before the end of the day is not uncommon. This problem can be solved with a quick recharge. But, oh no, you forgot your charger! Isn’t that tragic?
So you say goodbye to the old and hello to a new smartphone that can charge wirelessly.
Hurray!
You cut the cord!
You are finally liberated from the tyranny of wires strewn throughout your office and home. But what about inside your car? This is where wireless car chargers come in.
In-Vehicle Wireless Chargers: What Are They?
As the name implies, an in-vehicle wireless charger is a device that allows you to charge your phone and other wireless charging devices in your car without plugging in a cable. It is so convenient that you will never have to worry about forgetting your charger again.
Which Vehicles Offer Wireless Phone Charging?
This is not an exhaustive list, but it includes a lot of the big names:
- Toyota
Toyota offers wireless charging in the newer Avalon, Camry, Prius, Land Cruiser, and Tacoma models.
- Chevrolet
In vehicle wireless charging is standard in 2018 and newer Silverado LD/HD Bolt, Tahoe, and Suburban Chevrolet vehicles.
- Audi
For the time being, Audi vehicles only offer in-vehicle charging equipment as an option in the A5, A4, A3, R8, and Q7 models.
- BMW
Wireless phone charging equipment is standard in BMW’s M series, Alpina B5, Alpina B6, Alpina D5, and Alpina D7 models. And an option in the 7 series, 6 series, 5 series, 4 series, 3 series, 2 series, and 1 series.
- Hyundai
Hyundai’s wireless charging pad is available as a standard or optional equipment in the Palisade, i30, G90, Ioniq, Santana, Xcent, XS, XS(O), Tucson Premium, and Premium SE models.
- Cadillac
The latest Cadillacs, including the XT5, 2019, and newer CT6 sedan, 2018 and newer Escalade / Escalade ESV, XT5, 2019, and newer XT4, XT5, XT6, and 2020 CT4 and CT5 models, all come standard with wireless charging equipment.
What if I Drive an Older Vehicle?
How old is your vehicle? A look through your car manufacturer’s OEM parts list should yield some answers. If you bought your car within the last few years, it might already include an optional wireless charging upgrade feature, so all you will have to do is install a Qi wireless charging device.
How to Install a Qi Wireless Charger in Your Car
To begin, look for a Qi wireless charging device with strong magnets that’ll keep your phone in place. Then, you can either install it yourself or have it installed professionally by a mechanic or a dealer with a service center.
Depending on your car model, this could be a quick “fix” or a custom job that takes several hours, but either way, it would be less expensive than buying a new car.
Easy-peasy, no more messy cables!
