Ford turns the car into a power bank: external charging for your phone

Ford Motor has patented an exterior wireless charging system for mobile devices. The pad activates on demand and shuts off when the phone moves out of range.

Ford Motor has patented the idea of an external wireless charging pad that could, in theory, be used on the brand’s future vehicles. The patent application was filed on 2 November 2023 and published on 9 June 2026.

Importantly, this is not about wireless charging for an electric vehicle. The patent describes a system for mobile devices, for example a smartphone. On the user’s request, the vehicle activates an external charging pad, establishes a wireless link with the gadget and starts delivering power. If the connection drops — for instance, the owner walks away from the car with the phone — charging is automatically shut off.

Such a feature could come in handy on a picnic, at a campsite, in a parking lot or while working next to the vehicle, when you don’t want to leave your phone inside the cabin. For modern cars it is a logical step: the smartphone is increasingly used as a key, a navigator, a payment tool and the driver’s main interface.

Still, the patent shouldn’t be read as the announcement of a new option. Ford specifically points out that patent applications protect ideas and do not imply concrete product plans. For now it’s more of an indicator of where automakers are thinking when it comes to owner comfort: the car is gradually becoming not just transport, but also an external power source for everyday devices.