Infiniti is to debut inductive charging on its forthcoming electric vehicle model, according to reports.

The Nissan-owned luxury manufacturer is set to launch its own electric vehicle in 2014, to offer a high-class counterpoint to the pioneering Nissan Leaf.

In an industry-first, it looks like that model will be able to charge wirelessly using ‘inductive’ technology, reports Popular Mechanics.

The model will include a pad underneath capable of ‘absorbing’ electricity, allowing drivers to park in a specific spot and have their vehicle begin charging automatically.

At this week’s Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan showcased an inductive charging system, saying that it offers an energy transfer efficiency of 80-90 percent compared to a conventional plug-in charger.

Popular Mechanics speculates that the wireless system could cost consumers an extra 20 percent on top of their cars.

Inductive charging is widely regarded as a key ‘enabling’ technology of electric vehicles, removing charging cables (alien to many consumers) from vehicles and ushering in an age of widespread, easily-used charging points.

A universal standard, similar to the current ChaDeMo (wired) charging standard used by Nissan and its rivals such as Toyota and Mitshubishi, is expected by 2014.