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HEVO, a New York-based wireless charging supplier, will join a technology evaluation program with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and BMW focused on next-generation polyphase wireless charging. HEVO will contribute engineering support and circular coil topologies to BMW’s bench testing of compatibility with ORNL’s proprietary polyphase coil technology. The participants say polyphase charging could improve power density, efficiency and packaging of wireless systems.
HEVO, a New York-based Tier 1 supplier of wireless charging hardware and software, will work with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and BMW in a technology evaluation program aimed at advancing next-generation wireless EV charging. The program will evaluate whether HEVO’s circular coil topologies are compatible with ORNL’s proprietary polyphase coil technology in BMW’s bench testing, according to an announcement reported by Charged EVs.
Under the arrangement, HEVO will contribute wireless charging expertise, engineering support and circular coil topologies to assist BMW’s bench testing, which will evaluate compatibility with ORNL’s polyphase coil technology. The testing builds on earlier ORNL and BMW work exploring advanced wireless charging architectures for future electric mobility platforms.
The participants say polyphase wireless charging has the potential to improve the power density, efficiency and packaging of wireless charging systems — three factors that have historically constrained how quickly wireless chargers can be integrated into production vehicles. ORNL and BMW have publicly demonstrated advances in polyphase systems that the participants say highlight the technology’s potential for next-generation mobility platforms.
HEVO is an ORNL technology licensee, which gives the company a direct commercial stake in how the laboratory’s wireless charging research matures. The company said its objective is to contribute practical experience from commercial wireless charging deployments while helping evaluate technologies that could support future EV ecosystems.
Why Polyphase Charging Matters to Automakers
If polyphase systems deliver on their claimed advantages in power density and efficiency, wireless charging could move closer to matching the speed and footprint of plug-in charging, removing a key barrier to adoption. Packaging improvements matter for automakers because coil size and weight directly affect vehicle design and cost.
HEVO also frames the work around autonomous vehicles: a car that charges itself without a human plugging in a cable is a prerequisite for fully automated fleet operations, from robotaxis to automated logistics. The company believes wireless charging will play an increasingly important role in enabling automated vehicle operations, making early compatibility testing between competing coil architectures a strategic step for suppliers and automakers alike.
HEVO, ORNL and BMW’s Existing Partnership
HEVO is a Tier 1 supplier based in New York that develops wireless charging hardware and software for electric vehicles. Its relationship with ORNL extends beyond this evaluation: the company is already a licensee of ORNL technology, and the new program deepens that tie.
ORNL and BMW have previously worked together on advanced wireless charging architectures and have publicly demonstrated polyphase wireless charging advances, positioning the pair among the more visible players in high-power wireless charging research. The new evaluation adds HEVO’s circular coil topologies and commercial deployment experience to that existing collaboration.
“Wireless charging will be a foundational technology for the future of electric and autonomous transportation.”
— Jeremy McCool, founder and CEO of HEVO
Unanswered Questions About the Testing Program
The announcement does not specify a timeline for the bench testing, the power levels to be evaluated, or the performance targets the participants will measure against. No results have been released.
It is also not yet clear whether the evaluation will lead to a production program with BMW, a broader licensing arrangement, or further development work. The claimed benefits of polyphase charging — improved power density, efficiency and packaging — are described by the participants as potential outcomes, and independent test data from this specific program is not yet available.
Bench Testing and Commercialization Path Ahead
The immediate next step is BMW’s bench testing, supported by HEVO’s engineering input and circular coil topologies, to assess compatibility with ORNL’s polyphase coils. Results of that testing will determine whether the combined architectures advance toward integration on future electric mobility platforms.
Watch for subsequent announcements on test outcomes, additional automotive partners, or product developments from HEVO tied to its ORNL license. Any move from bench evaluation to vehicle-level validation would mark the next milestone for the technology.
Key Questions
What is polyphase wireless charging?
It is a wireless charging approach that uses multiple phase currents in the coil system. According to ORNL, HEVO and BMW, it has the potential to improve the power density, efficiency and packaging of wireless charging systems compared with conventional designs.
What is HEVO’s role in the program?
HEVO will provide wireless charging expertise, engineering support and circular coil topologies to assist BMW’s bench testing, which will evaluate compatibility with ORNL’s proprietary polyphase coil technology.
Is BMW committing to production wireless charging?
No. The announcement covers a technology evaluation program only. BMW has not announced plans to bring this specific technology to production vehicles.
When will test results be available?
No timeline or results have been disclosed. The participants have not said when the bench testing will conclude or whether findings will be published.
Why does wireless charging matter for autonomous vehicles?
HEVO argues that vehicles capable of charging without a human operator plugging in a cable are needed for fully automated operations, making wireless charging what the company calls a foundational technology for autonomous transportation.
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