Recent Advancements in Wireless Charging of Electric Vehicles

Wireless power transfer (WPT) is emerging as a promising technology for convenient, safe, and contactless charging of electric vehicles (EVs). The performance of a WPT system is strongly influenced by the magnetic coupler, compensation network, and power electronic converter. This paper presents a systematic review of basic and advanced coil structures, compensation networks, and converter configurations. Various advanced coil geometries developed to improve coupling, power density, and tolerance to lateral misalignment are discussed, along with compensation techniques aimed at achieving soft switching, reduced reactive power, and improved misalignment tolerance and charging characteristics. Recent power electronic converter topologies and their suitability for reliable, efficient, scalable, and bidirectional EV charging are also reviewed. In addition, a systematic design methodology of a series-series compensated WPT system is presented by considering key operating constraints, including bifurcation phenomenon, zero voltage switching (ZVS), maximum power transfer, and maximum efficiency. The paper further discusses emerging challenges and future research trends. The review provides a comprehensive perspective on the current state of EV-WPT technology and identifies potential directions for developing high-performance, reliable, and cost-effective charging systems.