Honda to Test Wireless EV Charging on Japanese Motorway in 2027
Honda and the construction firm Taisei will beam up to 150 kW into vehicles travelling at 120 km/h on a short stretch of road in Chiba prefecture from next year. While France is already charging a truck, a bus, and a car simultaneously on the A10 and targeting 5,000 km of electric road by 2030, Honda's initial test will focus on commercial vehicles.
Honda's Wireless Charging System
The technology delivers up to 150 kW to moving vehicles on a 300-metre stretch of Japanese motorway, as reported by InsideEVs. The system aims to reduce the number of battery cells in future electric cars and alleviate "charging anxiety" among Japanese drivers, according to Taku Ueda, Honda’s chief engineer of research and development.
A Global Trend
This isn't a new concept; Europe has been testing it for years. Electreon and EnBW laid a one-kilometre electric road under a public bus route near Balingen in Germany from 2022, starting with 400 metres. France took it further with a wireless charging stretch on the A10 south-west of Paris that delivers over 200 kW and charges multiple vehicles at once.
Benefits and Challenges
The advantages of electrifying roads are significant for freight transportation, reducing range anxiety and easing road wear due to lighter cars. However, Honda's initial test will cover a relatively short distance of 300 metres, with France targeting much longer electric road networks by 2030 and 2035.
The Future of Electric Roads
Sweden announced a 21 km permanent electric road on the E20 in 2023, intended to open in 2026, but its status is unclear. With Europe setting ambitious targets, the world watches as these projects evolve, potentially revolutionizing how we power our vehicles.