LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – This fall Michigan has seen a lot of energy, efforts, and funds put towards Electric Vehicle production and sales, but not as much on sustainability.  

Some moderate attempts to increase charging stations around the state are in progress, but other long term charging solutions may be needed to accommodate a growing EV driving population.  All things considered, EV drivers still are tremendously limited by range due to battery life limits.  But a contract with foreign company from Israel could change some of those concerns as early as 2023.  

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In September, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Electreon signed a five year contract to “develop and work toward implementing a scalable wireless public in-road charging network for electric vehicles (EV).”  

“This agreement helps solidify Michigan as the U.S. leader in developing and implementing a wireless in-road charging network,” State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said in a statement, “We now can work toward better policy and regulatory framework that provides a welcoming environment for this unique technology. Ultimately, the research and work conducted on this project will help lead to large-scale deployment across Michigan and the U.S.” 

With the partnership will come the country’s first road system to charge EVs, a new answer to the problem of short battery life and infrequent charging stations around the U.S.  

Electreon would be responsible for building the public wireless in-road charging system to pilot on a one mile section of road in Detroit.  The technology may charge slower than traditional plug-in charging stations but it can provide more continuous charging while buses, taxis, or other vehicles are on the move or making stops, meaning less time spent stopping at a station to recharge, according to Stefan Tongur, Vice President of Business Development at Electreon in dot.LA, a news and events company. 

Michigan is spending $1.9 million in state money for the $6 million project according to Michele Mueller, Sr. Project Manager of Connected and Automated Vehicles for the Michigan Department of Transportation while Electreon is picking up the rest of the cost.  The goal is to understand the benefits and challenges of induction road charging networks and how they might work for public transit,  passenger cars, and commercial vehicles, she said.

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The state has also announced that it is exploring transitioning to electric state owned vehicles by 2030, including EV trucks, vans, and cars.