Wireless Charging for Electric Vehicles on Roads

The U.S. has unveiled its first wireless electric road in Detroit, where electric vehicles (EVs) can charge while driving.

Despite the hefty price tag of almost $2 million per mile, could this be the transportation mode of the future?

This innovative road is located on a quarter-mile stretch in Detroit's Corktown and employs inductive charging, the same technology used to wirelessly charge smartphones.

Vehicles equipped with special receivers can charge their batteries over electromagnetically active coils embedded under the asphalt, powered by the city’s electric grid.

The main advantage of such technology is the potential to alleviate "range anxiety," a common concern deterring people from adopting EVs due to underdeveloped charging infrastructure and prolonged charge times during trips.

The initiative is part of Michigan’s commitment to a carbon-neutral future by 2050 and aims to expand to a full mile. It's part of a broader plan to support a large network of EVs with both wireless and conventional charging stations.

Despite skeptical views on the feasibility of scaling this technology due to high costs, proponents expect expenses will decrease as the technology advances.

They also argue that strategic placement, rather than widespread installation, could make wireless charging roads viable, especially for commercial fleets on fixed routes.

Electreon, the company behind the technology, is piloting similar projects globally. They offer a subscription service for the use of their charging systems and envision ongoing developments in the EV charging landscape, including integrating charging capabilities into regular road maintenance and reducing battery size in vehicles to cut costs.

Competition in wireless EV charging is growing, with several car manufacturers exploring or developing the technology. Meanwhile, the U.S. government invests in expanding EV infrastructure, including wireless charging roads, aiming for 500,000 public chargers by 2030.

As the U.S. and other countries seek sustainable solutions, wireless charging roads offer a promising, albeit currently expensive, approach to supporting EVs and reducing emissions.