New wireless car chargers coming to South Africa – What to expect

We’re all familiar with wireless phone chargers, but what about wireless electric car chargers?

The South African energy group Megamillion has signed an exclusive distribution deal to roll out wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the continent.

The technology is supplies by Dash Dynamic, an Indian company that offers a range of contactless charging systems for EVs and other electronics.

At the time of writing, it has already installed nearly 250 wireless EV charging platforms in its home country.

These systems are customized top support different types of vehicles, including two-wheelers, four-wheelers, heavy trucks, and drones.

According to MyBroadband, the devices use electromagnetic induction to transfer power through magnetic resonance.

The chargers uses a ground pad lined with copper planar coils, which generate a magnetic field and induce current in a receiving coil fitted to the vehicle.

The current is converted to direct current (DC) that can recharge the vehicle’s battery.

For a typical four-wheel passenger car, Dash Dynamic’s chargers can support up to 11kW AC and 60kW DC charging speeds.

The chargers have two wheel bumpers on either side of the pad, which are meant to guide drivers when they park to ensure proper alignment between the ground pad and the car receiver.

Regarding possible safety concerns, the devices have foreign-object and living-object detection, which can automatically pause the charging process if needed.

However, the system poses no danger to animals, as the frequencies used for wireless charging allow magnetic fields to pass through air, water, ice, concrete, wood, plastics, and living tissue without causing harm.

According to IDTechEx, wireless pads may actually be safer than more conventional charging methods as the lack of cables and physical connections means there is no risk of electric shocks.

That being said. Dash Dynamic’s chargers still have a backup port with a cable in case motorists have issues with the wireless version.

The company is also developing a 120kW wireless DC charger for buses, and an “on-the-go” dynamic system with a 200kW output, which can recharge a car’s battery while it is driving.

Logistical concerns

While contactless charging is far more convenient than needing to plug in a physical cable, there are concerns that it is far less efficient.

Older wireless phone chargers, for example, have been known to waste nearly half of the power drawn.

They also require magnetic alignment for optimal efficiency.

However, wireless charging technology has greatly improved in recent years to the point where it now has an efficiency rating of 93% compared to wired AC connections.

“The system is suitable for installation under most surfaces, including normal pavement or concrete, and is weatherproof and vandal-resistant,” said Megamillion.

“With a drastically longer lifespan than cable charging systems, it also provides a much better return on investment.”

The company’s goal is to roll out the new infrastructure beneath public and private infrastructure at destinations like airports, taxi ranks, and shopping centres.

While Megamillion has yet to confirm whether it has engaged with any specific companies, it shared a stand with South Africa’s biggest CPO GridCars during the 2025 Festival of Motoring, wrote MyBroadband.

It’s important to note that no EVs sold in South Africa currently have built-in wireless charging support, but this feature can be installed retroactively.

Megamillion also plans to launch its own vehicle, the Everione Happy, which comes with a wireless charging module.

The Happy (a rebadged version of the MG Comet hatchback) is scheduled to appear in South Africa this November.

Headline image: Screenshot of video demonstrating Dash Dynamic EV charger