Electric Vehicle Wireless Power Transfer: New Safety & Interoperability Standard Published – November 2025

Electric vehicle charging technologies are rapidly evolving, and November 2025 marks a significant leap forward for the automotive and road vehicles sector. With the release of IEC PAS 61980-4:2025, a critical new standard now governs the safety, interoperability, and efficiency requirements of high-power wireless power transfer (H-WPT) systems for electric vehicles. This update impacts manufacturers, infrastructure providers, and compliance professionals throughout the EV ecosystem.

Overview / Introduction

As automotive electrification accelerates globally, consistency and safety in charging infrastructure have become mission-critical. The Automotive and Road Vehicles sector relies on international standards to ensure that components, systems, and operations are interoperable and operate seamlessly, regardless of manufacturer or region.

Standards in this field are not just about technical definitions—they enable:

• Safe operation for users and service personnel
• Streamlined interoperability among diverse equipment
• Lower R&D and deployment risk
• Foundation for testing, certification, and regulatory approval
• Future-proofing investment in charging infrastructure

This article examines the latest addition to the IEC 61980 series, focusing on wireless charging stations for stationary electric vehicles and detailing how compliance will shape adoption and performance across the industry.

Detailed Standards Coverage

IEC PAS 61980-4:2025 - Interoperability and Safety of High-Power Wireless Power Transfer for Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicle wireless power transfer (WPT) systems – Part 4: Interoperability and safety of high-power wireless power transfer (H-WPT) for electric vehicles

Scope and Purpose:

IEC PAS 61980-4:2025 introduces a comprehensive specification for high-power wireless power transfer (H-WPT) systems using magnetic fields (MF-WPT) to charge electric vehicles (EVs) while stationary. The standard applies specifically to the off-board supply equipment, ensuring power can be effectively transmitted to the vehicle's on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) or other electrical sub-systems at supply voltages per IEC 60038—up to 1,000 V AC and 1,500 V DC.

The standard elevates confidence that H-WPT installations will meet a mandatory level of electrical safety, robust communication processes, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), paving the way for interoperable, efficient, and safe wireless charging stations—even where equipment is sourced from different suppliers or deployed in diverse environments.

Key Requirements and Specifications:

• Compatibility Classes: Devices are classified (A or B) by interoperability requirements—Class A mandates cross-compatibility and rigorous performance criteria, while Class B is non-interoperable but subject to strong safety standards.
• Power Classes: System capacities are divided into classes (e.g., MF-WPT4: 11.1–22 kW; MF-WPT5: 22–50 kW; scaling up to 500 kW) to suit a range of vehicle sizes and applications.
• Supply Device Requirements: Outlines general architecture, power input/output ranges, and installation types (surface, flush, or embedded mounting).
• Power Transfer Performance: Mandates minimum transfer efficiencies—85% at center alignment and 80% within alignment tolerance, emphasizing the need for precise positioning.
• Dynamic Safety Controls: Requires fast emergency shut-down and communication loss response to prevent hazardous conditions.
• Alignment and Positioning: Tolerance area defined (±75mm X axis, ±100mm Y axis), with requirements for minimum ground clearance between transmitting and receiving coils.
• EMC Requirements: Controls electromagnetic emissions for local safety and regulatory compliance.
• Communication: Demands robust communication between vehicle controller (EVCC) and supply equipment controller (SECC) for safe system operation, in accordance with IEC 61980-2.
• Testing, Marking, and Instructions: Specifies required test conditions, constructional robustness, and user instructions.

Who Should Comply:

• EV charging infrastructure manufacturers
• Automotive OEMs integrating wireless charging
• Testing and certification bodies
• Urban mobility planners and transport authorities
• Compliance officers, quality managers, and R&D leads in the EV industry

Practical Implementation Implications: Compliance with this standard will profoundly influence design, procurement, and deployment cycles for new charging infrastructure, supporting seamless integration across vehicle models and charger brands. Adhering to defined safety levels and interoperability parameters also simplifies third-party certification and approval processes, reducing liability risk and speeding market adoption.

Notable Changes/Novelty: Unlike previous standards in the wireless EV charging landscape, IEC PAS 61980-4:2025 delivers:

• Dedicated guidance for high-power, stationary-transfer installations
• Enhanced focus on interoperability, minimising vendor lock-in
• Stringent dynamic control and safety requirements

Key highlights:

• Defines interoperability classes and power capacity classes for wireless EV charging
• Strict performance and safety efficiency thresholds (85%+)
• EMC and alignment tolerances to ensure robustness across environments

Access the full standard:View IEC PAS 61980-4:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The adoption of IEC PAS 61980-4:2025 sets a new benchmark for wireless charging system manufacturers, city planners, and automotive OEMs by:

• Elevating system safety: With robust emergency controls and EMC parameters
• Driving interoperability: Reduces vendor lock-in, simplifies multi-supplier deployments
• Encouraging investment: With clear guidance on technical and installation requirements, it derisks procurement and long-term project planning
• Meeting regulatory goals: Prepares organizations for future compliance audits and certifications via a recognized international standard

Compliance Timeline Considerations: Entities planning new EV infrastructure projects or product launches post-November 2025 should prioritize alignment with this specification during design and tender phases. Early adoption will facilitate smoother regulatory approvals and improved user confidence.

Benefits of Adoption:

• Increased market acceptance and smoother integration with evolving smart city platforms
• Reduced operational risk and liability through adherence to safety best practices
• Ability to source interoperable infrastructure, supporting competitive procurement

Risks of Non-Compliance:

• Potential legal or regulatory penalties
• Equipment performance unpredictability and higher support costs
• Competitive disadvantage as market shifts toward interoperable solutions

Technical Insights

The IEC PAS 61980-4:2025 standard introduces several technical requirements critical for successful implementation:

1. High-Power Transfer Efficiency:

• Minimum 85% energy transfer at center alignment; 80% within tolerance
• Clear guidelines on alignment tolerances (+/- 75 mm X, +/- 100 mm Y)
• Efficiency requirements adjusted for mismatched power classes

2. Safety Protections and Controls:

• Emergency shutdown within 1 second of fault detection
• Safe power-down when communication is lost, meeting EMF limits within 4 seconds

3. EMC and Environmental Controls:

• Limits on electromagnetic emissions
• Requirements for in-situ testing to replicate real-world conditions

4. Communication Protocols & Redundancy:

• WPT systems must be able to communicate key safety, operational, and process information between SECC (supply side) and EVCC (vehicle side)
• Adherence to foundational protocols as per IEC 61980-2

5. Testing and Certification:

• Standards for constructional inspection, marking, and user instructions
• Guidance on test benches and in-situ verification (see standard figures and annexes)

Best Practices for Implementation:

• Integrate alignment systems for precise coil positioning
• Deploy real-time monitoring for communication status and fault response
• Conduct thorough EMC compliance validation prior to field rollout

Certification Considerations:

• Engage accredited testing laboratories early in the product development cycle
• Maintain comprehensive documentation for regulatory reviews
• Regularly monitor for updates or amendments to foundational referenced standards (e.g., IEC 60038, IEC 61980-2/3)

Conclusion / Next Steps

November 2025’s release of IEC PAS 61980-4:2025 ushers in a new era for high-power wireless EV charging. By providing a rigorous, globally recognized framework for interoperability, safety, and efficiency, this standard equips industry professionals, infrastructure planners, and regulatory bodies with practical, actionable requirements to guide future-ready deployments.

Key Takeaways:

• Wireless charging infrastructure must now meet harmonized performance, positioning, safety, and EMC criteria
• Interoperability is central, reducing risks and increasing deployment flexibility
• Early adoption is critical for compliance and market competitiveness

Recommendations:

• Review your organization’s current and planned H-WPT deployments for alignment with the new standard
• Update internal procurement and product development documents to reference IEC PAS 61980-4:2025
• Engage with certification bodies to map out compliance and testing roadmaps

For in-depth details or to purchase the latest edition, refer directly to the official document:

Access IEC PAS 61980-4:2025:View on iTeh Standards

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