2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental Electric 102EX

  

  
 

For all the attention electric cars have generated over the years, one niche group has never dared to tread those waters out of fear that they would compromise the luxurious and old-world lineage these brands are so often associated with. Well, it looks like one luxury automaker is prepared to dive into uncharted waters after Rolls-Royce announced that the brand will be developing an all-electric version of the Phantom.

The car, which has been dubbed the Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental Electric (EE) or the 102EX, was recently revealed at the Geneva Motor Show and will serve as a test vehicle for the brand to gather as much relevant data as possible with the hopes of determining whether jumping through the electric car world will prove to be a worthy endeavor.

According to Rolls-Royce, the extensive testing done on the 102 EX, which comes with a revolutionary wireless charging system called ’induction charging’, will also cover a number of public test drives for potential customers to give them the opportunity to experience the company’s alternative drivetrain technology first-hand and provide that all-important customer feedback. Rolls-Royce explains ’induction charging as a technology that allows the car’s battery to be charged by just parking it over special pads buried in the ground. This process uses magnetic coupling instead of a regular cable with a 90% efficiency.