Pad could lead to an electric car revolution - No fumbling around in the gloom trying to insert a plug into a socket. No trailing wires to trip over or to attract the attention of vandals.

Without proper planning this innovation could really wreak havoc with power scheduling as millions of people drive to work and park their cars all about the same time--within the space of about 1 to 2 hours, then some percentage of them hop in their cars to go to lunch and the same thing happens.  Then the vast majority all leave work within a 1 to 2 hour span and drive home to presumably park their car over a similar pad or plug in to their home charger just when the evening peak reaches its highest.  I hope these things come with some sort of controller that can be manipulated by the grid operators.