Charge your phones wirelessly in GM cars

General Motors has announced that it plans to offer wireless charging technology across a number of its vehicles from the second half of 2012, with Chevrolet’s plug-in hybrid Volt likely to be the first car fitted with the charging mat that sits in the centre console.

The US manufacturer has signed a contract with Powermat, an Israeli company that specialises in wireless charging technology, which will see charging mats fitted to multiple models within 18 months.

The deal between GM and Powermat is reportedly worth US$5 million (NZ$6.5m), with the aim of accelerating the technology’s development and boosting the brand’s business.

Powermat CEO Ran Poliakine says the elimination of cords is just one the benefits, claiming charging mats are both safer and more efficient than plugging into your car’s cigarette lighter.

GM’s head of electronics, Micky Bly, says the technology will be first applied to the techno-centric Volt (pictured above) before being expanded across the manufacturer’s portfolio.

"Imagine a mat or shelf where you could put your iPhone, your Droid or other personal device and charge it automatically while you commute to work, run errands or as you’re driving on a family vacation," Bly says.

Family road-trips will be more peaceful than ever before – the wireless charging device is able to power up hand-held gaming systems such as Nintendo’s DS, as well as MP3 players and iPods.