First Wireless Charging Road Coming To Detroit

DETROIT — Electric vehicle drivers in Detroit will soon be able to charge their battery while driving.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday the state awarded Electreon the contract to build the nation's first public electric charging road in Detroit.

The road is currently planned to be for up to a 1-mile stretch and will be hosted by Michigan Central, which is becoming mobility innovation district supported by partners like Ford Motor Co., DTE Energy, and the City of Detroit.

"As we aim to lead the future of mobility and electrification by boosting electric vehicle production and lowering consumer costs, a wireless in-road charging system is the next piece to the puzzle for sustainability," Whitmer said. "I am happy to see Michigan lead and keep building on these ground-breaking initiatives creating new business opportunities and high-tech jobs. Together, we will continue growing our economy and putting Michiganders first."

Electreon will partner with NextEnergy and Jacobs Engineering Group to lead the design, evaluation, iteration, testing and implementation of the road, which aims to be operational as of 2023.

Whitmer first announced the plan to build the road in September at Motor Bella. Later that month, state officials released the request for proposal, which specified the system safe, scalable, interoperable with industry technology and vehicles, and financially and environmentally sustainable.