ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED VEHICLE PARKING FACILITY

A charging apparatus for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles includes a stationary inductive coil fixed in a position adjacent to a parking spot for the vehicle so that a charging surface of the stationary inductive coil is aligned substantially vertically. The charging apparatus further has a movable electric coil assembly that is magnetically mountable to a brake component of the vehicle and having a charging surface aligned with the charging surface of the stationary inductive coil when the vehicle is parked. A charging cable extends from the stationary inductive coil and has a plug that is electrically connectable to a charging outlet of the vehicle. The vehicle is parked with the inductive coils aligned so that an inductive charging operation can be carried out.