I dont believe that current wireless charging is anywhere close to 90% efficient. Part of the point of an EV is that we arent wasting energy. Is plugging in a single cable really that difficult?
Well, that's the claim.
From a BBC report on wireless car charging:
“Tests show the system is more than 90% efficient compared to a cable charge,†he says and the car does not even need to be perfectly aligned with the device. As a result, it could be built into low street curbs over which the car-borne magnet (which is installed under the bonnet) would hang, he says.
From an efficiency point of view, I agree that wireless charging is never a win. However, consider that wireless charging is still generally more efficient than an ICE vehicle - so if it sways someone to choose electric over gas, then it is probably a net win.
Wireless charging also has a huge convenience advantage over wired charging for short stops. A 15 minute stop may only give you a few miles - you might not bother to plug in with a wired connection, especially if your hands were full on either end. But that's still a few miles worth of charge.
Wireless charging also *should* be more resistant to vandalism - thick lengths of copper cable are sometimes snipped & stolen - and it may even be cheaper to lay out new parking lots with multiple units vs buying a J1772 EVSE for every 2-4 parking spots.