One of the stumbling blocks to widespread acceptance of electric vehicles is a recharging infrastructure that’s convenient, easy to use, fast and readily accessible. Engineers at Stanford University and Western Michigan University are developing wireless technology that addresses many of those constraints and challenges.

Although wireless charging pads already exist for smartphones, they only work if the phone is sitting still. For cars, that would be just as inconvenient as the current practice of plugging them in for an hour or two at charging stations.