LONDON, ENGLAND – Wireless-technology company Qualcomm Inc. announced plans for a wireless electric vehicle charging trial in London. Qualcomm is collaborating with the United Kingdom government, as well as the London mayor’s office and Transport for London (TfL) on the project. 

The pre-commercial trial is expected to start in early 2012 and will involve as many as 50 electric vehicles. The project will use Qualcomm wireless inductive power transfer technology that enables high-efficiency power transfer across a large air gap, the company said. The driver simply parks the vehicle in the usual way and the system automatically aligns for power transfer.

The trial will be based partially in East London Tech City in order to leverage the area’s local entrepreneurial community and encourage companies to innovate around services and applications.

“This wireless charging technology is a giant leap forward for the electric car industry and I am delighted that London businesses will be among the first to benefit from the trial,” said Prime Minister David Cameron.