Wireless ‘In-Road’ EV Charging Network To Be Introduced In Michigan

The state of Michigan is making adopting electric vehicles much easier with a new wireless charging system. Unlike the charging stations that might have come to mind upon reading that sentence, the system will actually be in the road itself. 

According to an announcement by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the state is partnering with Electreon to create the system, which is said to have at least one segment operational by next year. 

It’s planned for the first part of it to be a mile-long stretch outside Detroit, with more to follow.

“As we aim to lead the future of mobility and electrification by boosting electric vehicle production and lowering consumer costs, a wireless in-road charging system is the next piece to the puzzle for sustainability,” Governor Whitmer states. 

Both moving and stationary vehicles will reportedly be able to be charged on the road, which will ensure that drivers will essentially never run out of charge as long as they’re on that stretch.

Copper coils are laid just beneath the surface of the road, which can deliver electricity to the cars above. Once covered with asphalt, it looks and performs just like any other road. Electreon says that this will not only do away with the need for heavy, large batteries but will also help flatten the electricity demand curve. 

This tech is already in place in some sites around the world, such as the Tel Aviv University Station, which is used to charge buses.

[via Good News Network and Tech Times, images via Electreon]