Daimler and BMW have agreed on jointly developing and implementing one common technology for wireless recharging high-voltage batteries of electric drive and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The wireless charging system consists of two components: a secondary coil integrated into the under tray of the car and a primary coil integrated into a floor plate that can be placed on a garage floor for instance. Electrical energy is transmitted contact-free without the need for a cable, at a power rate of 3.6 kW and with a degree of efficiency of 90%.

Mercedes-Benz will commence fleet testing of this “unplugged” technology with the S 500 Plug in HYBRID  soon, in order to develop a real S-Class solution in recharging the high voltage battery in terms of comfort and ease of operating in the near future.

Mercedes-Benz will launch the S 500 Plug In HYBRID in September. It offers 325 kW (436 hp) of power and 650 N·m (479 lb-ft) of torque, accelerates in 5.2 seconds from zero to 100 km/h, and can go 33 km (205 miles) on electric power alone. It has certified fuel consumption of 2.8 liters for 100 kilometers (84 mpg US), equalling 65g CO₂/km.

After the S 400 HYBRID and S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, it is the third hybrid model in the S-Class range.