Mobile device charging from a vehicle based on communal association

A motor vehicle provides wireless charging to a mobile wireless device outside of the vehicle. After a request by a person outside the vehicle, a wireless power transmitter initiates remote charging of the mobile wireless device. A vehicle controller is configured to respond to the charging request by (A) attempting one or more times to communicate with the mobile wireless device until a link is established, (B) before the link is established then activating the wireless power transmitter to remotely charge the mobile wireless device, (C) when the link is established then determining whether the mobile wireless device corresponds to a pre-established communal group, and (D) deactivating the wireless power transmitter when the mobile wireless device does not correspond to a pre-established communal group. Consequently, the power reserve in a vehicle battery is protected against depletion.