Power on the Move: How Wireless Highways Are Recharging the EV Revolution

Wireless in‑road EV charging highways are emerging as a transformative solution to electric vehicle range anxiety, with Purdue University and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) constructing the first U.S. testbed to charge vehicles dynamically at highway speeds (Purdue University). Concurrently, pilots in Europe and China are validating inductive coil and ground‑level power supply technologies to charge buses and trucks in motion (Latam Mobility, Xinhua News). Los Angeles has announced plans to embed wireless charging infrastructure beneath a half‑mile stretch in Westwood ahead of the 2028 Olympics, funded by a multimillion‑dollar state grant (New York Post). To accelerate deployment nationwide, Congress introduced the Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program Act of 2023, authorizing $250 million in DOT grants for roads, parking lots, bus routes, and ports (Evcandi, Congress.gov | Library of Congress).

Introduction

Range anxiety remains one of the most significant barriers to widespread EV adoption, driving both automakers and infrastructure providers to seek solutions that minimize downtime for charging breaks. Traditional plug‑in stations, though proliferating, still require vehicles to stop—and drivers to wait—for power replenishment. Wireless in‑road charging, also known as dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT), embeds inductive or conductive charging elements directly into road surfaces, allowing compatible EVs to draw energy on the move. This technology promises to revolutionize EV travel by decoupling charging from stationary stations and extending operational range through continuous power delivery.

How Wireless In‑Road Charging Works

Wireless in‑road charging systems typically employ transmitter coils or rails embedded beneath the pavement surface. When an EV equipped with a corresponding receiver module passes over these coils, an alternating magnetic field induces current in the vehicle’s receiver, which is then converted and fed into the battery management system (Business Insider). There are two main approaches:

  1. Inductive Charging Coils: Coils are laid in discrete segments under the road; power transfers via electromagnetic induction when a receiver-equipped vehicle drives over them (Government of India).

  2. Ground‑Level Power Supply (GLPS): Rails or conductive bars embedded flush with the road surface supply power through direct contact with vehicle pickup plates, reducing energy loss but requiring precise vehicle alignment and safety interlocks (Electreon).

In both cases, vehicles must either be manufactured with built‑in receivers or retrofitted with aftermarket modules capable of negotiating power levels, alignment, and communication protocols for metering and billing.

U.S. Pilot Project in Indiana

Purdue University, in partnership with INDOT, broke ground in April 2024 on a quarter‑mile test section along U.S. Highways 231 and 52 near West Lafayette, Indiana (Purdue University). This pilot—backed by an $11 million state investment—will evaluate a patent‑pending system designed to charge both passenger cars and heavy‑duty electric trucks at cruising speeds up to 65 mph (Building Indiana). Construction is slated to conclude by late 2024, with dynamic testing beginning in May 2025 (Business Insider). Over the 12‑ to 18‑month testing period, researchers will assess power delivery efficiency, the effects of misalignment, weather resilience (rain, snow, ice), and pavement durability under repeated coil installations and removals (CCAM TAC).

Global Pilots Around the World

Sweden (Visby–Airport)

Electreon Wireless, an Israeli startup, secured a €10.5 million grant from the Swedish government to install a 1.3 km inductive charging road between Visby city center and Visby Airport on Gotland Island (Latam Mobility). This “pre‑commercial demonstration” validated year‑round operation, supporting buses and service vehicles through short, segmented coils that switch on only when a vehicle passes, minimizing idle losses.

Norway (Trondheim)

In June 2024, Electreon completed Norway’s first wireless charging road near Trondheim, a 100‑meter test with 20 kW coils powering EVs at speeds up to 25 km/h (Xinhua News). The project emphasized compatibility across multiple vehicle types and evaluated system reliability in cold‑climate conditions.

France (A10 Autoroute)

France awarded a tender to Electreon in mid‑2023 for a 2 km pilot on the A10 autoroute, supplementing the dynamic lanes with static wireless pads at rest areas and toll plazas (Electreon). This combined approach aims to showcase scalability on high‑speed corridors and integrate billing via roadside cabinets linked to national energy grids.

Germany (Autobahn)

A consortium led by German mobility agency Autobahn GmbH and Electreon began installing inductive coils on a segment of the A5 Autobahn in late 2024, targeting heavy‑duty truck fleets with 200 kW charging capacity at 80 km/h (Electreon). The pilot will test multi‑receiver synchronization for vehicles with dual‑motor setups and evaluate cross‑compatibility with GLPS rails in adjacent test lanes.

Federal Support and Funding Landscape

Recognizing the strategic importance of dynamic charging, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D‑MI) introduced H.R. 4636, the “Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program Act of 2023,” directing the Secretary of Transportation to establish a $250 million grant program within the DOT for wireless charging infrastructure on roads, parking lots, bus routes, ports, and airports (Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Congress.gov | Library of Congress). The program’s scope aligns with DOT’s broader Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has allocated billions to fixed EV charging stations but did not previously cover dynamic systems (Evcandi). Industry groups such as InductEV have publicly endorsed the bill, urging constituents to advocate for swift passage to catalyze nationwide pilot expansion (LinkedIn).

Benefits and Challenges

Benefits

  • Range Confidence: Continuous charging on highways reduces dependence on large battery packs and frequent stops, extending real‑world driving range by 20–40 % without additional downtime (Tech Briefs).

  • Grid Optimization: By distributing load along roadways and integrating with smart grid controls, dynamic charging can smooth peak demand and leverage renewable generation when vehicles travel (Tech Briefs).

  • Fleet Electrification: Commercial fleets (buses, delivery trucks) benefit most, as routes are predictable and centralized depots can install on‑route infrastructure to maintain vehicles in motion.

Challenges

  • Standardization: Multiple technology approaches (inductive vs. conductive) and varying power levels (25 kW to 200 kW+) require interoperable standards for vehicle and infrastructure manufacturers (Wikipedia).

  • Cost and Durability: Embedding coils or rails into asphalt or concrete must withstand heavy loads, freeze‑thaw cycles, and road maintenance, raising lifecycle costs and requiring new construction practices (Wikipedia).

  • Vehicle Retrofit: Retrofitting existing EVs with receivers adds upfront costs (~$1,000–$2,500 per vehicle) and may limit adoption if OEMs do not integrate receivers into new models (Business Insider).

Future Outlook

As pilots validate performance and funding programs clear regulatory hurdles, dynamic wireless charging could see phased rollouts on high‑traffic corridors by 2028–2030. The Los Angeles Westwood pilot, targeting completion before the 2028 Summer Olympics, will provide a high‑visibility demonstration of wireless highways supporting both private EVs and electric buses (New York Post). Long‑term visionaries propose integrating charging coils into all interstate highway rest zones, turning America’s 12,000 mile freeway network into a continuous power grid for EVs. Combined with advances in battery energy density and V2G (vehicle‑to‑grid) integration, wireless roads may help balance renewable supply variability and usher in a seamless, cable‑free era of electric mobility.

Conclusion

Wireless in‑road EV charging highways represent a bold leap forward in infrastructure innovation, promising to transform how vehicles draw power and interact with the grid. From Purdue’s Indiana testbed to European demonstrators in Sweden, Norway, France, and Germany, dynamic charging pilots are rapidly proving technical feasibility and spurring legislative action in Washington. While challenges around cost, standards, and retrofitting remain, sustained federal grants and public‑private collaborations will be pivotal in scaling this technology. As we accelerate toward an electrified transportation future, dynamic wireless charging may well become the backbone of a new, range‑anxiety‑free EV ecosystem.

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