The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently awarded a contract to Electreon, an Israeli e-mobility solutions company, to build a public wireless in-road charging system allowing electric vehicles (EV) to charge while in motion and stationary.
The system would be the first of its kind in the United States.
Electrified roadways enable continuous EV operations and have the potential to accelerate the adoption of EVs by consumers and fleet operators.
“Michigan is aggressively rolling out various charging solutions, and we need to continue to stay ahead of the technology curve,” Paul C. Ajegba, state transportation director, said. “A wireless in-road charging system will be revolutionary for electric vehicles, potentially extending their charge without having to stop.”
Under the contract, Electreon will lead the design, evaluation, iteration, testing, and implementation of an electric road system for up to one mile in Detroit. The stretch of road is within Michigan Central, a mobility innovation district.
The company will work with NextEnergy and Jacobs Engineering Group to have the system operational in 2023.
MDOT will fund $1.9 million of the pilot project’s costs, and Electreon with pay the remainder.
In September 2021, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the Inductive Vehicle Charging Pilot program.