Wireless phone charging in your car

Motorists have long been able to pair their phones and audio devices to their vehicles with Bluetooth technology, but a truly cable-free relationship between car and phone is now possible thanks to wireless recharging.

The Dodge Dart will be the first vehicle to offer a wireless recharging system for smart phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy or Apple iPhone.

Vehicle occupants simply place their smart phone into a special cover, then put their device into a 'power bin' located underneath the centre stack. When the engine starts, the localised power grid automatically recharges any batteries, and the system is compatible with iPhone, Blackberry, Droid-based devices and MP3 players.

Though the wireless recharging system available with the Dodge Dart is a $199 Mopar accessory, it is expected this technology will eventually become a standard feature on some cars. Expect Korean and European to follow the American car maker's lead and begin integrating the convenience feature in the future.

There are currently no plans to build the Dodge Dart in right hand drive, therefore ruling it out of Australian market, but it is based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the technology has every possibility of being used on both sides of the Fiat-Chrysler fence.

It remains to be seen which brand will be the first in Australia to offer wireless phone charging, but General Motors has been investing heavily in researching wireless charging technology, so there's a chance it could feature in the VF Commodore in 2014.