Electreon and Jacobs Engineering Group have been picked by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) as part of a consortium to develop and implement the first wireless inductive vehicle charging pilot in the US.
The consortium will design and build a one-mile stretch of wireless electric vehicle charging technology in Detroit within the Michigan Central mobility innovation district.
Electreon will lead the project and develop the inductive charging technology. The wireless technology will include embedded coils under the road for dynamic charging, alongside semi-dynamic charging stations at terminal points to charge stationary vehicles in queuing or parking lanes.
Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, said: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. I am happy to see Michigan lead and keep building on these ground-breaking initiatives creating new business opportunities and high-tech jobs. Together, we will continue growing our economy and putting Michiganders first.
As the engineering partner, Jacobs will provide project management and design services for the pilot project.
MDOT has allocated 1.9 million USD in funding for this wireless charging pilot project, with Electreon contributing the remainder of the cost.
Jacobs Senior Vice President, Ron Williams, said:As the world transitions to the future of electrified transportation, cities and communities are seeking and adopting green economic-centric models as part of the transformation. This innovative pilot project aims to demonstrate efficient vehicle operability to prove the viability of wireless EV charging. Jacobs is committed to delivering decarbonisation solutions to address the increasingly critical issue of climate change. This project is just one of the ways Jacobs and our partners are working together to create a more connected, sustainable world.
