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LOS ANGELES, 7 August 2023: Electreon, a pioneer in Wireless EV Charging roads, reveals a positive shift in the US, with both state and federal policymakers endorsing Wireless Electric Road Systems (ERS). This technology breakthrough addresses key barriers to EV adoption, eradicating range anxiety and reducing battery size, fostering widespread EV use.
Federal Funding Push: Wireless EV Charging Grants
In a significant move, Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced the Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program Act of 2023. This legislation aims to expand Wireless EV Charging Programs on a federal level. The proposed law establishes a dedicated grant program within the US Department of Transportation (DOT), offering funds for Wireless EV Charging projects.
The allocation includes USD 250m for initiatives like wireless charging roads, parking lots, bus routes, airports, coastal and inland ports. The blueprint for this legislation draws from the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) pilot program of 2021-2022, which successfully launched the US’s first public wireless EV charging road. This pioneering effort utilized Electreon’s proprietary wireless charging technology, a collaborative project involving stakeholders like Electreon, MDOT, Ford Motor, DTE Energy Co, OFME, Next Energy, Jacobs, Michigan Central, and the city of Detroit.
Broad Support and Collaborative Initiatives
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo’s Electrified Roads, EV & Infrastructure legislation in the California State Assembly and a 5-year partnership with MDOT complement Representative Stevens’ bill. Their collaborative work aims to expand road deployment and establish wireless Electric Road Systems in Detroit. Governor Whitmer of Michigan, along with ASPIRE, CALSTART, and the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), have voiced strong support for Representative Stevens’ bill.
Revolutionizing Charging: Wireless EV and Electric Road Technologies
Wireless EV Charging, particularly wireless Electric Road technologies, offers a convenient and hands-free approach to charging moving vehicles. This technology also contributes to cost reduction, as it minimizes the need for large batteries, subsequently boosting driving range.
Moreover, coupling Electric Road technology with on-site renewable energy sources like solar power can alleviate strain on the national electric grid, distributing energy demand over space and time. In light of climate concerns, the need for innovative solutions to decarbonize the global economy is urgent, with July marking the hottest month in 120,000 years. Transportation emissions, accounting for nearly 30 percent of total US greenhouse gas emissions, underscore the importance of green mobility solutions.
“Dynamic Wireless Charging has immense potential to reshape EV charging dynamics and accelerate EV adoption by addressing critical electrification challenges,” commented Congresswoman Stevens. She further emphasized the significance of investing in new EV technologies for enhancing America’s global competitiveness.
Global Shift: Ambitious Goals and Electrified Roads
Internationally, governments are taking a proactive stance toward Electric Roads. France envisions constructing approximately 6,000 miles of Electrified Roads by 2035. Similarly, Germany and Sweden plan to establish around 2,500 and 1,200 miles, respectively, of such roads by 2030. In the journey toward decarbonizing transportation, Wireless Charging emerges as a game-changing technology, with Electreon leading the forefront of this transformative revolution.
