Is wireless charging the way forward for electric motorcycles?

Electric motorcycles are on the way but while it is the fastest growing sector of the industry as it stands there is still a long way to go for buyers to be convinced over their conventionally fuelled two-wheelers.

While questions over whether electric motorcycles evoke the same excitement or thrill as their fuel-powered counterparts will always remain a primary concern, another is the infrastructure that accompanies it, particularly recharging.

The growth of electric vehicles in the automotive sector has seen this area move on leaps and bounds in recent years with charging points to be found across all major cities, while most firms offer at-home charging capabilities too.

However, BMW is keen to take this area another step forward with the advent of wireless charging, a method the German marque has been exploring with its cars whereby you park the machine above a static pad – in your garage for instance – which sends a wireless charge. Think of it as a charging phone pad but on a larger scale.

While that technology has only been a sketchy success thus far (ie. unreliable), BMW is continuing to go down this avenue by developing a version for motorcycles. Recent patent filings reveal it is developing a way for the kick stand to act as a charging point, sending the signals up through the bike to charge it.

Presumably, by making direct contact, this is a more effective and quicker way to charge without having to resort to cumbersome wires.

If nothing else, it’s a sure sign BMW is investing in an electric future for its motorcycles. For now, it offers the C Evolution scooter but this will change in future as it errs towards a production model(s) through various design studies.

While this technology will probably make replacing any kick stand more expensive than any before it, the prospect of being able to take a bike home, park it up and not worry about charging is a neat solution to what will always be a present ‘problem’.