Charging will be carried out with special coils placed in the roadbed and able to transmit magnetic frequencies to a receiver installed on the underside of the electric vehicle. The car will be charged every time it passes on the specially-equipped stretch of road.
The principle is to a great extent similar to that used previously for wireless charging of mobile telephones (over short distances, electromagnetic rays were used transmit wireless charge).
The coils will produce no reaction on petrol cars operating on internal combustion engines and will cause them no damage.
Electreon has been carrying out pilot projects using such roads in Germany, Italy and Sweden. In October 2021, the startup clinched a contract with the Israeli company Dan Bus to introduce its system in Tel Aviv. Two hundred electric buses will be able to undergo regular charging.
“We plan to build on Electreon’s proven track record of success globally and demonstrate its ability to help the U.S. realise its electrification and emissions reduction goals,” said Oren Ezer, CEO of Electreon.
The project will facilitate Detroit’s plans to develop its charging infrastructure. According to data from the International Council for Clean Transport (ICCT), Detroit closes out the top 30 U.S. cities in terms of use of electric vehicles.
As of 2021, city and state authorities, along with power generation companies, have drawn up 14 groups of measures aimed at developing the network for electric cars, while Los Angeles, which tops the list, has implemented 42 of 48 measures. They include construction of electric charging stations and discounts for parking.
