Photo from Bloomberg,
Imagine driving an electric vehicle on a highway that recharges your battery as you travel.
Since 2010, Stefan Tongur has harbored aspirations of transforming this futuristic technology into a tangible reality. During his doctoral studies at Sweden’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, he nurtured this ambition. In 2019, Tongur became part of Electreon, an Israeli startup dedicated to implementing this innovation on road networks worldwide. Subsequently, in the same year, the company initiated the construction of its inaugural pilot project on public roads, located in Gotland, Sweden.
Following this, Electreon has broadened its initiatives to encompass multiple cities globally, including its inaugural project in the United States—a trial conducted on public roads within the Michigan Central Station tech hub in Detroit's Corktown district. The initial stage, concluded in November, involved the implementation of a quarter-mile stretch of road equipped for wireless charging, specifically tailored for an electric bus modified to integrate with the system. Tongur anticipates that upon project completion, the road will extend to a full mile.
Tongur explains that charging rates may fluctuate based on various elements, such as the battery's capacity and the number of receivers installed in the vehicle. He notes that for an electric vehicle equipped with a single receiver, Electreon's wireless charging capabilities align with those of level 2 plug-in chargers. These chargers typically take four to 10 hours to charge a battery from empty to 80%. Conversely, larger vehicles equipped with multiple receivers might experience charging rates akin to level 3 fast chargers, capable of charging a battery to 80% in 15 minutes to an hour.
Transitioning from pilot projects to the extensive implementation of wireless charging on roads and highways, along with the adoption of electric vehicles equipped with this technology, requires significant progress. In a discussion on The Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything podcast, Stefan Tongur, Vice President of U.S. Business Development at Electreon, explored the mechanics of wirelessly charging electric vehicles and its potential to revolutionize transportation habits.
In Sweden, numerous companies like Scania and Volvo are actively exploring solutions to electrify trucks. The challenge lies in avoiding the cumbersome addition of large batteries, which can impact cargo capacity. As a result, the concept arose: why not charge these vehicles while they are in motion? This approach would allow for the use of smaller batteries.
It's not solely about technological advancements; it also involves understanding the implications of these technological shifts on business models. Essentially, it poses a challenge to the prevailing business model centered around internal combustion engines and traditional refueling methods for vehicles, especially if the refueling process is integrated into the roadway.
The operational mechanism of Electreon's charging system involves two coils, akin to other forms of inductive charging. One coil is placed beneath the road surface and linked to a cabinet housing a grid connection and cloud interface. Meanwhile, the vehicle is equipped with a secondary coil underneath. As the vehicle passes over the coil embedded in the road, the infrastructure detects it, enabling wireless charging. This process can occur while the vehicle is stationary over the coil or progressively as it moves, coil by coil.
The coil is constructed from copper encased in a rubber material. It can be installed beneath the road surface and then covered over. This material is highly durable, flexible, and offers cost-effectiveness.
When engaging the system coil by coil during driving, it swiftly delivers power within milliseconds, ensuring seamless and rapid operation. Extensive testing has been carried out in different settings, such as Sweden, where highway speeds were achieved. This intelligent system can efficiently manage multiple coils within a segment to accommodate moving vehicles.
Consider another perspective, focusing on slower scenarios. Picture a line of taxis waiting in a queue. In this scenario, you have the opportunity to charge these vehicles at a slower pace while they remain in the queue. This feature is particularly beneficial for fleet customers, as it allows them to utilize this time for charging, thereby organically extending the vehicles' range.
When it comes to fleets, Electreon focuses on particular vehicle types. Electreon intends to incorporate this technology into future models, alongside providing a retrofit option. Collaborating with Ford in a Detroit project, Electreon has successfully retrofitted and incorporated a receiver into their vehicle. Retrofitting existing vehicles is a fairly simple process: installing the receiver beneath the vehicle, connecting it to the high-voltage battery, and integrating it with the software system.
After successfully implementing this technology in one vehicle model, it becomes easier to scale it across similar models. Eventually, as the scaling process progresses, it could become a factory-installed option. Customers would then have the choice to order vehicles with or without the receiver. Electreon is actively involved in standardization efforts through committees like SAE International, aiming to ensure that this technology becomes a cross-industry standard rather than being exclusive to Electreon.
When it comes to infrastructure, the initial implementation involves extensive coordination and education. Various questions arise, such as how to integrate the electric road with the existing grid and how to apply asphalt on top of it. These initial steps involve addressing numerous uncertainties. Therefore, conducting a pilot project is crucial—not solely for testing the technology itself, but primarily to engage stakeholders. This includes representatives from the grid company, construction firms, engineering companies, and departments of transportation, ensuring everyone is on board with the project.
It's essential to collaborate with existing ecosystem partners and introduce innovative solutions that they can readily adopt, rather than starting entirely from scratch. This approach is key to driving progress, particularly in public infrastructure like roads, which have been in place for many decades.
Regarding technology maintenance, numerous safety features prevent the road from being electrified when no vehicles are present, ensuring complete safety in that regard. Additionally, during milling and resurfacing operations, which typically involve removing an inch and a half to two inches of material, the coils are situated four inches beneath the surface. This placement ensures that the coils remain untouched and undamaged during maintenance activities, allowing for safe and unaffected upkeep of the electric road infrastructure.
To prevent electrification when the system is not in use or if an animal approaches while a vehicle is charging, it's akin to the security measures on your cellphone. Just like needing a SIM card and a subscription, a similar model applies here. You must have authorization to activate the system; otherwise, it remains inactive to unauthorized users.
Numerous safety measures are in place, including compliance with international standards regulating electromagnetic fields. We've conducted thorough testing in our current locations to ensure strict adherence to these standards, maintaining a considerable safety margin. As we introduce this technology to new markets and explore additional applications, ongoing testing and development will prioritize safety for pedestrians, animals, and vehicle occupants.
Charging stations operate similarly to gas stations, but wireless charging, like what Electreon offers, presents a distinct approach. While Electreon will adopt the charging station model, the charging process for electrons is slower compared to refueling with traditional fuel. Therefore, Electreon can leverage idle times inherent in various scenarios, particularly in fleet settings such as taxi and port queues, loading docks, and bus terminals. By electrifying specific stages, such as main traffic corridors, Electreon aims to optimize usage without the intention of electrifying every road, aligning with its vision.
Consider bus routes, rapid transit lines, connections between ports and warehouses, airport shuttle routes, and university shuttles. Many of these scenarios are well-suited for Electreon's technology. Additionally, Electreon can introduce wireless charging for passenger cars, enabling convenient charging in your garage. As vehicles travel on equipped roads, they automatically charge where the infrastructure allows.
Over the next 5-10 years, Electreon envisions its technology linking regions, providing a solution for individuals to transition to electric vehicles without concerns about range limitations or battery availability and sustainability. With smaller and more eco-friendly batteries, users won't need to worry about frequent stops or owning multiple vehicles for different travel needs—whether urban or long-distance trips.