Downriver Today

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) in early February awarded the country’s first electric vehicle (EV) charging road system contract to Electreon, according to a press release issued by the governor’s office.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) said the Israel-based company will build a public, wireless, electric road system in Detroit. The one-mile section of road will act as part of the inductive vehicle charging pilot program, the release said.

The initiative will allow electric vehicles to charge while in motion and while stationary.

"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," Whitmer said in the release. "I am happy to see Michigan lead and keep building on these groundbreaking initiatives, creating new business opportunities and high-tech jobs. Together, we will continue growing our economy and putting Michiganders first."

Last September, the governor announced the inductive vehicle charging pilot program. The initiative was intended to develop the first wireless charging infrastructure on a public road in the U.S.

This was followed by MDOT’s release of the request for proposal declaring the system is safe, scalable, interoperable with industry technology and vehicles, and financially and environmentally sustainable, according to the release.

As the contract awardee, Electreon will oversee the design, evaluation, iteration, testing, and implementation of the pilot program, with 2023 as the target year for its operation to commence. The company will collaborate with NextEnergy and Jacobs Engineering Group, the release said.

"We are proud and thankful to be selected by the Michigan Department of Transportation to lead and implement the first wireless electric road system in the United States," Stefan Tongur, Electreon vice president, said in the release. "We're excited to be transferring our success in wireless charging for a variety of electric fleets – from cars to buses and heavy-duty trucks – to this innovative project. There's important work ahead with our partners in Detroit to develop scalable, 'plug-free' charging that will future-proof the city's EV infrastructure."