Detroit has marked a significant milestone in electric vehicle (EV) technology with the installation of the nation's first wireless-charging public roadway, located just west of downtown. Developed by Israel-based Electreon, this groundbreaking technology utilizes inductive charging coils embedded in the road, enabling EVs to charge while in motion.
The pioneering project has transformed a quarter-mile segment of 14th Street into a test bed for this innovative technology. According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, the primary aim is to refine and perfect the system before making it accessible to the public within the next few years, a report of the Associated Press said.
Demonstrations of this technology were recently showcased at the Michigan Central innovation district, a hub dedicated to advancing mobility technologies. The district is also the site of efforts Ford Motor Co (F) to restore the historic Michigan Central train station, focusing on the development of self-driving vehicles, according to the AP report.
Electreon's technology, which is at the forefront of this initiative, has already garnered international attention. The company has established contracts for similar wireless charging roadways in Israel, Sweden, Italy, and Germany. The Michigan pilot initiative, announced in 2021 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, represents a significant step in the U.S.
Stefan Tongur, Electreon's Vice President of Business Development, emphasized the project's potential to revolutionize EV adoption by addressing key challenges such as limited range, grid constraints, and battery size and costs. “This project paves the way for a zero-emission mobility future, where EVs are the norm, not the exception,” Tongur said.
The charging process is initiated when a vehicle equipped with a receiver approaches the charging segments. The coils beneath the road generate a magnetic field, transferring electricity and charging the vehicle's battery. Notably, these coils activate only when a vehicle equipped with the necessary receiver passes over them, ensuring energy efficiency and safety.
Addressing safety concerns, Tongur assured that the roadway is safe for pedestrians, motorists, and animals. The state Department of Transportation, in collaboration with Electreon, has committed to a five-year development plan for the electric road system, with future plans to incorporate inductive charging into busy Michigan Avenue.
AP adds: The technology belongs to Electreon, an Israel-based developer of wireless charging solutions for electric vehicles. The company has contracts for similar roadways in Israel, Sweden, Italy and Germany. The pilot initiative in Michigan was announced in 2021 by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“Alongside Michigan’s automotive expertise, we’ll demonstrate how wireless charging unlocks widespread EV adoption, addressing limited range, grid limitations, and battery size and costs,” said Stefan Tongur, Electreon vice president of business development. “This project paves the way for a zero-emission mobility future, where EVs are the norm, not the exception.”
When a vehicle with a receiver nears the charging segments, the coils beneath the road transfer electricity through a magnetic field, charging the vehicle's battery. The coils only activate when a vehicle with a receiver passes over them.
Tongur told reporters the roadway is safe for pedestrians, motorists and animals.
The state Department of Transportation and Electreon made a five-year commitment to develop the electric road system. The DOT is expected to seek bids to rebuild part of busy Michigan Avenue, where inductive charging will also be installed.
As electric vehicles increase in popularity in the United States, the Biden administration has made its plan for half a million EV charging stations a signature piece of its infrastructure goals.
The wireless-charging roadway helps puts Michigan and Detroit at the forefront of electric vehicle technology, officials said.
“In Michigan, we want to stay ahead of the curve. We want to lead the curve,” Michigan DOT Director Bradley C. Wieferich said.
No decisions have been made on revenue models in Michigan, Tongur said.
“The technology is smart," he said. “The technology knows who you are — you're a verified and authentic user — you can get a charge.”