It makes sense that, as each form of digital technology goes wireless, the process of charging up all those devices would eventually go wireless, too. Soon, even electric vehicles (EVs) will have the ability to charge up without wires.

According to Boulder, Colo.-based, clean tech market research firm, Pike Research, wireless EV charging has entered a phase of transformation, from promising technology in search of a market to one that is about to take off.

In a December 2012 report, Pike notes that nearly all major plug-in EV manufacturers have announced partnerships to develop wireless charging systems. The availability of wireless charging could help spur the market.

The report, “Wireless Charging Systems for Electric Vehicles,” projects annual sales of wireless EV charging equipment to grow steadily through the remainder of the decade, reaching annual sales of 283,000 by 2020.

Despite the slow but steady emergence of EVs, two big barriers for consumers remain: the long charging times and the inability to travel long distances without recharging. Wireless chargers could provide EV owners with more convenient charging options and allow them to charge more frequently and readily.

Wireless EV charging uses technology that is not new but, until recently, was only in development. According to Pike, in 2012, companies such as BMW, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Audi and Renault announced wireless charging vendor relationships with various original equipment manufacturers, suggesting the technology has progressed to the point where it is ready for market.