LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) - The first electric vehicle charging 'highway' in the United States is coming to Detroit after alternative energy company, Electreon was handpicked to spearhead the innovative project.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) awarded the contract to the the Israel-based company on Feb. 1 in an announcement by Governor Gretchen Whitmer's office. Electreon will build a public wireless in-road charging system that will enable electric vehicles (EVs) to charge while driving or parked.
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The charging system will cover a one mile stretch within the Michigan Central district of Detroit and supported by partners such as Ford Motor Co., DTE Energy and the City of Detroit.
“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," said Stefan Tongur, vice president of Electreon.
"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.”
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State officials have lauded the cutting edge project, calling it "revolutionary" in solving the current plug-in issues commonly seen with EVs by allowing vehicles to charge while in use and without needing to stop.
"Michigan is aggressively rolling out various charging solutions and we need to continue to stay ahead of the technology curve," State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said.
Gov. Whitmer praised the new project which comes after the governor announced the Inductive Vehicle Charging Pilot in the fall of 2021.
"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," said the governor.
The EV roadway system plans to open in 2023, but Electron will start design, testing and project evaluation over the next year. An estimated $1.9 million to fund the project will be provided by MDOT while the remainder will come from Electreon.
Gov. Whitmer and other state officials hope electrified highways on public streets will spur more interest in investing in "safe and sustainable shared energy platforms."