"This is the Tipping Point" - How Electreon Provides an 'Endless Range' With Wireless Charging Technology

Founded in 2013, Electreon Wireless is a pioneer of in-road wireless charging for electric vehicles while in motion, allowing EVs to actively charge while on the move. Its technology enables 'endless driving', where vehicles gain more energy from the wireless road than they consume. Additionally, by enabling charging during the route, EVs can reduce their battery size by up to 90%.

The Israeli company recently held a 100-hour straight driving rally to demonstrate its technology and completed a new world record for the longest time and distance ever driven (non-stop) by a passenger EV. 56 different drivers participated in the effort to drive for 100 hours straight (over five successive days), only pausing momentarily to switch drivers (without switching off the engine), and never for dedicated charging downtime.

Electreon's demo track, spanning 200 meters, showcased the abilities of wireless charging. Even with only 25% of the track electrified, the 'Wireless Electric Road' provided an endless range.

Oren Ezer, Electreon CEO, says: "We are at a turning point, moving from vision to reality. We see that industry and political support fro wireless EV charging is greater now than at any other time since Electreon's doors opened in 2013. We witnesses industry enthusiasm for our wirelss EV technology grow into unwavering support. Now we see it bloom into declarations of commitment to advancve wireless charging in commercial projects on public roads across the globe."

"This industry-changing technology, coupled with ongoing government support, are a shining example of the importance of public-private cooperation for the benefit of all society; both here in the start-up nation and for the entire world," adds Israel's Chief Transportation Scientist, Dr. Shai Soffer, who attended the event.

The wireless charging solution is installed below ground so it doesn’t require any real estate. It can be located in plasces where plug-in charging cannot be, without any visible effect on the landscape. Since there is no need to plug-in a cable, the driver will not have to get out of the car and get their hands dirty, especially in rainy, snowy, or muddy environments. The wireless inductive charging process is also unaffected by adverse weather condictions, the company explains.

"Most drivers do not have time to sit and wait for their vehicles to charge. By electrifying roadways or areas where vehicles typically take breaks or idle, such as bus stations, commercial loading docks, taxi stands, or waiting areas, with wireless charging capabilities, drivers can charge their vehicles on the go while they are en route to their destination or waiting. This means there is no required change to current driver and fleet behavior required and vehicle uptime is increased, which is particularly important to commercial fleets," says the company.

"Today we are involved in  a dozen projects across five countries together with more than 60 global partners, including leading automotive partners. This is the tipping point," reports Ezer.

EV Wireless Charging In Action

Since May 2023, Electreon and its partner EnBW, have been piloting wireless charging in Germany, where a shuttle has been transporting passengers to an international flower show in the town of Balingen. The bus's total route is 6 km, with 400 meters of electrified road and two static charging stations, providing sufficient power for the bus's battery requirements. 

During operating hours, the bus covers approximately 135 km per day, with wireless charging fulfilling all of its charging needs. The need for nighttime charging is also eliminated.

Dr. Maximilian Arnold, EnBW project lead, states: "The project in Balingen shows how innovatively and consistently we are promoting e-mobility in Germany. We have a holistic approach and want to make wireless charging technically fit for German public transport. This
also includes convincing authorities, energy network operators, bus operators, and the general public of the opportunities. As a leading provider and innovation driver in the field of charging infrastructure, we are pleased to be part of this promising project with partners such as Electreon, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology."

Dr. Andreas Wendt, CEO of Electreon Germany GmbH, adds: “The aim of this project is not only to open up wireless charging to the public in Germany. Other significant aspects include the development and use of a tool that will assist public transportation planners in
where to install the inductive infrastructure for a specific town or region. We have already shown in our joint Karlsruhe project with EnBW how effective, safe, and easy to deploy wireless dynamic charging is. We hope this is the start of many more projects on public and private roads in Germany.”   

The agreement follows a comprehensive technology evaluation conducted at Electreon's headquarters in Beit Yanai, Israel, 

“We are honored to partner with TOYOTA and DENSO - two of the leading and most respected companies in the global automotive industry, to provide an overall game-changing solution with Electreon’s technology,” says Ezer.

“This partnership will make wireless charging accessible to a diverse and wide range of drivers, and will demonstrate the many benefits of wireless charging as a cost-effective clean solution for charging EVs as well as a catalyst in reducing EVs’ carbon footprint,” he adds.

Looking further into the future, Ezer believes that plug-in charging as the only charging solution of the increasing adoption of EVs isn't sustainable.

"In 5 to 10 years, we will see mass adoption of wireless charging. In the next few years people will be able to purchase an EV with wireless charging capabilities," predicts Ezer.