Mercedes-Benz has announced it will be offering the option of inductive charging on the S550e plug-in hybrid for its refreshed 2017 model. Meaning that replenishing the increased capacity, 13.5-kWh battery will be no more complicated than making sure it’s positioned over a special charging pad. The cost has not been announced or how much buyers will pay to get the inductive charging pad installed in their home or office (or even if this model will make it to Iran at all). The system itself works on a principle similar to all inductive charging, whether of electric toothbrushes or cellphones, just on a considerably larger scale, according to Cars UK. A primary coil sits under a floor-mounted base plate while a panel under the front of the S-class shields a secondary coil, the two separated by about 6 inches. Charging starts as soon as the S-class is in place, with transmission of up to 3.6kW possible. There is a slight efficiency loss compared to charging through a cable, but Mercedes claims a 90% transmission rate. If the model does come to Iran, Setareh Iran, the official distributor of the vehicle will be the company to contact to pick up the vehicle and charging pad.
