Jacobs joins inductive road charging project

A road charging test scheme is currently operating in Lund, Sweden Photo: EVolution

The Michigan Department of Transportation has selected Jacobs to be part of a consortium developing and implementing an inductive road charging pilot project.

The project is reported as being the first of its type in the United States.

The consortium will design and build a one-mile stretch of dynamic and stationary wireless EV inductive charging tech. Jacobs will provide project management and design services to deliver the project.

The project will be led by Electreon, provider of wireless charging solutions for electric vehicles. The road will feature embedded coils under the road pavement, together with semi-dynamic charging stations at end-point terminals. These will charge vehicles while stationary in a queuing or parking lane.

The system supports charging of EVs to support battery limitations, charging needs and vehicle asset utilization.

“This innovative pilot project aims to demonstrate efficient vehicle operability to prove the viability of wireless EV charging,” said Jacobs People & Places Solutions Americas senior VP and GM Ron Williams.

NextEnergy, a Detroit-based company, will head up stakeholder and partner engagement. The project will be further supported by Ford Motor and DTE Energy, the latter a company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services.