Crews have successfully installed the nation's first wireless-charging public roadway for electric vehicles underneath 14th Street, just west of downtown Detroit. This groundbreaking technology utilizes copper inductive charging coils that allow vehicles equipped with receivers to charge their batteries while driving, idling, or parking above the coils. The quarter-mile segment of 14th Street will serve as a testbed for perfecting this innovative technology before making it available to the general public in the coming years, as announced by the Michigan Department of Transportation.

To showcase this remarkable achievement, demonstrations were held on Wednesday at the Michigan Central innovation district, which serves as a hub for advancing technologies and programs that address mobility barriers. It is worth noting that the district is also where Ford Motor Co. is restoring the iconic Michigan Central train station with the aim of developing self-driving vehicles. The wireless-charging technology being implemented on 14th Street is owned by Electreon, an Israel-based company specializing in wireless charging solutions for electric vehicles. Electreon has already secured contracts for similar roadways in Israel, Sweden, Italy, and Germany.

The initiation of this pilot program in Michigan was officially announced in 2021 by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Stefan Tongur, Electreon's Vice President of Business Development, expressed optimism about the project's potential impact, stating, "Alongside Michigan's automotive expertise, we will demonstrate how wireless charging unlocks widespread EV adoption, addressing limited range, grid limitations, and battery size and costs. This project paves the way for a zero-emission mobility future, where EVs are the norm, not the exception."

When a vehicle equipped with a receiver approaches the charging segments on 14th Street, the coils beneath the road initiate an electricity transfer through a magnetic field, effectively charging the vehicle's battery. Importantly, the coils only activate when a vehicle with a receiver passes over them, ensuring the safety of pedestrians, motorists, and animals. The Michigan Department of Transportation and Electreon have made a five-year commitment to further develop the electric road system. Additionally, the Department of Transportation is expected to solicit bids for the reconstruction of a section of busy Michigan Avenue, where inductive charging technology will also be installed.

As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to rise in the United States, the Biden administration has made the establishment of half a million EV charging stations a significant component of its infrastructure goals. With the implementation of the wireless-charging roadway, Michigan and Detroit are now at the forefront of electric vehicle technology, solidifying their positions as leaders in innovation. Bradley C. Wieferich, the Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation, emphasized the state's commitment to staying ahead of the curve, stating, "In Michigan, we want to stay ahead of the curve. We want to lead the curve."

Despite the remarkable progress achieved with the wireless-charging roadway, no decisions have been made regarding revenue models in Michigan. However, Tongur assured reporters that the technology is intelligent and capable of recognizing verified and authentic users, enabling them to access charging services. This cutting-edge advancement in electric vehicle infrastructure holds the promise of revolutionizing transportation and paving the way for a sustainable, zero-emission future.