SAE TOMORROW TODAY: Electrified Roads Make Their Debut in Detroit

Stuck in traffic or cruising in the fast lane? Someday soon your EV could be charging wirelessly--whether your vehicle is in motion or sitting idle. As a first-of-its-kind program in the U.S., three companies--Electreon, NextEnergy and Jacobs--are working in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Transportation to pilot a wireless EV charging road system for public transit vehicles in Detroit. The project involves embedding Electreon's unique copper coil technology just below the surface of the road--a process that can be deployed overnight. A kit attached to the vehicle receives the wireless energy (whether it's in motion or idle) and transfers it to the vehicle battery. This ground-breaking pilot program aims to be operational by 2023 and will pave the way for electrified roads across the U.S. We sat down with Stefan Tongur, Vice President of Business Development at Electreon, Jim Saber, President & CEO at NextEnergy, and Brian Burkhard, Vice President and Global Technology Lead for Advanced Mobility Systems at Jacobs, to discuss the partnership between their companies, the importance of piloting in a four-season environment, and how their technology will accelerate EV adoption for both the public and private sector.