A street in Detroit can now automatically charge driving electric vehicles thanks to a new technology installed in the very road.
The quarter-mile segment of 14th Street in Corktown is equipped with copper inductive charging coils to charge EVs while driving, idling, or parked above the mechanism.
Only EVs with a special receiver can wirelessly charge from the road installations.
The Michigan Transportation Department and the Detroit local government are proud to be the first to bring the technology in the country. The project is completed in cooperation with Electreon Wireless.
As for the safety of pedestrians, Electreon assured that the charging coils will not be a danger to people and wildlife when they come into contact.
Electreon already completed similar projects in Israel, Sweden, Italy, and Germany.
The three are currently studying the technology's efficiency and potential for public transportation in the US.
The Transportation Department has signed a five-year contract with Electreon to develop more self-charging roads in the state. The project was first launched in 2021 by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Detroit Revolutionizing Electric Car Industry
The wireless charging roads are part of the State of Michigan's effort to rehabilitate the Michigan Avenue in Detroit.
Ford Motor is also working with the Detroit government to restore the old Michigan Central station near where the first batch of charging coils were installed.
Both projects aim to revitalize the once-thriving car industry in Detroit. This time with electric cars and up-to-date technologies.
Stefan Tongur, Electreon vice president of business development, said the initiative will help Michigan achieve "widespread EV adoption, addressing limited range, grid limitations, and battery size and costs."
The project came in time as US President Joe Biden committed to build half a million EV charging stations across the country to meet the rising number of EV owners.
Also Read: The Electric Drive Experience: Embracing the Advantages of Electric Car Tech
Future of EVs in the United States
As of 2022, the government estimates that there are 3 million electric cars driving around the United States.
With rising environmental concerns in using traditional vehicles, more politicians and automakers are pushing for EVs.
Several companies have also rolled out their electric self-driving taxis to ease pollution in the country.
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