Systems and methods for vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) are provided. A communication gateway in a vehicle establishes a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) or an impulse radio ultra-wide band (IR UWB) communication connection with a portable device that includes a wireless charging apparatus. A low-frequency transmitter transmits a ping request to the wireless charging apparatus. The portable device transmits a response to the ping request over the communication connection to the communication gateway. The communication gateway authenticates the portable device based on information included in the received response. A passive entry/passive start (PEPS) system performs a vehicle function in response to the portable device being authenticated, including unlocking a door of the vehicle, unlocking a trunk of the vehicle, allowing a wireless charging station of the vehicle to charge the portable device, or allowing the vehicle to be started.