The first wireless-charging public roadway for electric vehicles (EVs) has been installed under a street in downtown Detroit, according to the Associated Press. This technology, developed by Israel-based company Electreon, consists of copper inductive charging coils that allow vehicles outfitted with receivers to charge their batteries while driving, idling, or parking above the coils. The Michigan Department of Transportation plans to test and refine the technology on a quarter-mile segment of 14th Street before making it available to the public in the next few years.
The installation took place at the Michigan Central innovation district, where Ford Motor Co. is working on self-driving vehicles. According to Electreon vice president Stefan Tongur, the new wireless charging technology will pave the way for widespread EV adoption and normalize electric vehicles in the transportation sector. The Michigan Department of Transportation and Electreon have committed to a five-year collaboration to advance the electric road system and have plans to invite bids for reconstructing a section of Michigan Avenue with inductive charging.
The implementation of wireless-charging roadways in Michigan and Detroit aligns with the Biden administration’s commitment to establishing half a million EV charging stations, positioning the state and city as trailblazers in EV technology. During demonstrations at Michigan Central, experts and officials discussed the potential of the technology to address issues such as limited range, battery size and costs, and grid restrictions. The pilot initiative, announced in 2021 by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, aims to accelerate progress toward a zero-emission mobility future.
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