American telecommunications company Qualcomm has signed a Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) technology license agreement with British company Ricardo.

The scope of the deal allows Ricardo to commercialise and expand the user network of Qualcomm’s Halo WEVC technology for plug-in hybrid (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs).

Qualcomm, as part of the agreement, has granted a royalty-bearing technology license to Ricardo in order to develop, manufacture and supply WEVC systems for automobile manufacturers.

"This collaboration further strengthens the Qualcomm Halo automotive supply chain, providing options for WEVC both to the traditional automakers and the burgeoning EV entrants."

The subsidiaries of the American parent company will deliver technical expertise and engineering support to Ricardo.

Qualcomm Incorporated wireless charging vice president and general manager Steve Pazol said: "We are pleased to be working with Ricardo.

"This collaboration further strengthens the Qualcomm Halo automotive supply chain, providing options for WEVC both to the traditional automakers and the burgeoning EV entrants."

Vehicle manufacturers prefer PHEVs and EVs as they aim to cut down tail pipe emissions, while Ricardo expects Qualcomm’s easy and convenient WEVC solutions to encourage automakers for the mass adoption of EVs or PHEVs.

The collaboration with Qualcomm will help Ricardo design and build advanced WEVC systems featuring higher power, faster charging facilities, and several deployment methods including buried charging pads.

Ricardo CEO Dave Shemmans said: "Wireless charging is a potentially very promising enabler for more widespread adoption of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, with consequent environmental benefits.

"I am extremely pleased, therefore, that through the agreement announced today, Ricardo is now able to engineer solutions based on Qualcomm Halo technology, as an integral part of our own portfolio of low and zero emission vehicle and transportation technologies."

Qualcomm Halo WEVC technology focuses on cost-effectiveness and package optimisation, interoperability, power as well as co-existence with vehicles systems.