By now you have probably heard about Bosch’s wireless (inductive) 18V battery pack charging system. We previously posted our thoughts about it here.
Over in Europe, Bosch has come out with a new 10.8V (12V Max) battery pack that works with the same inductive charger and charging dock accessories. It’s also compatible with the mobile L-Boxx charging station that’s also currently only available in Europe.
The new drill/driver matching L-Boxx inlay allows for (2) tools’ batteries to be charged at once via the L-Boxx charging dock.
The new 2.5Ah battery pack looks to be about the same size as a compact 18V Li-ion battery pack. It looks to have the same approximate form factor as Bosch’s 12V Max 4.0Ah extended capacity battery, but with lower charge capacity and wider size. That seems to be somewhat impractical to me, ergonomics-wise.
I know some users will find it convenient to inductively charge 12V Max battery packs in-tool the same way they can with 18V wireless batteries and charging accessories. And I know that it’s a good thing that you can use 12V Max wireless batteries with the same accessories as 18V wireless batteries. Except maybe the drill holster?
But I find myself wishing Bosch came up with a 12V Max wireless battery system that had the same space-saving form factor as their compact 12V Max Li-ion battery packs.
These batteries can be charged in-tool for drills and drivers, but not with Bosch’s other 12V Max compact power tools. For use with any of their saws (only their jig saw is available in the USA), for example, the battery would have to be removed from the tools.
Pricing: 75 euros for each battery, 125 euros for a starter kit
ETA: May 2016 in Europe
When I wondered about what would happen if other brands adopted Bosch’s wireless charging standard, I didn’t even think about the 12V Max vs. 18V/20V Max question.
In theory, if Dewalt came out with a wireless (inductive) battery charger, you’d be able to charge their 12V Max and 20V Max batteries on the same pad.
If there ever is a wireless charging standard for power tools, that would be great motivation for brands like Bosch and Milwaukee to consider transitioning over to a slide-style battery pack design.