Japanese automaker Honda, in collaboration with construction companies Taisei and Taisei Rotec, has developed a wireless charging system for electric trucks using magnetic coupling technology. The system involves equipment integrated into the road and a receiver on the vehicle. The companies plan to conduct demonstrations on a Japanese highway starting from the fiscal year 2027, which begins on April 1, 2027. This technology aims to enable electric trucks to charge while driving.
The project builds on previous testing conducted on a private track owned by Taisei since 2025. Honda has worked on developing a structure capable of supporting commercial vehicles weighing around 20 tons. Further testing is planned on a new track, which will simulate durability equivalent to one million wheel passages, with a load of 49 kN per wheel, as well as energy transfer and electromagnetic leakage tests. These tests will help assess the feasibility of the technology.
The next phase of testing will involve verifying powers of up to 150 kW and the system's behavior at high speeds. This will be conducted on approximately 300 meters of the E14 Tateyama Expressway, near Kimitsu PA, starting from fiscal year 2027. The tests will be carried out by NEXCO East, a Japanese highway operator. The results will provide valuable insights into the technology's performance and potential applications.
The economic viability of the technology remains a crucial factor to be evaluated. While the theoretical benefits of wireless charging for heavy freight are clear, it is uncertain whether the cost of installing and maintaining the infrastructure will be lower than that of a traditional charging network with larger batteries and fast charging stations. Honda has not disclosed the installation costs per kilometer or the energy efficiency of the system.
An engineer from Honda declined to compare the cost of the system to that of a fast-charging network, stating that its economic viability remains to be assessed. The Japanese test will need to provide answers to questions about who will pay for the infrastructure, what the utilization rate will be, and what the actual efficiency will be. Until these data are available, the wireless charging technology remains a credible option to be tested, but not yet a proven economic model.
The development of wireless charging technology for electric trucks has the potential to transform the transportation sector. By enabling trucks to charge while driving, the technology could reduce the frequency of charging stops and allow for smaller onboard batteries. This could lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs. However, further testing and evaluation are needed to determine the technology's feasibility and potential impact.
The outcome of the Japanese test will be closely watched by industry stakeholders and policymakers. The results will provide valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges of wireless charging technology for electric trucks. If the technology proves to be economically viable, it could pave the way for widespread adoption and contribute to a more sustainable transportation sector.
Key points
- Honda and its partners plan to conduct highway tests of wireless charging technology for electric trucks in Japan starting from fiscal year 2027.
- The technology uses magnetic coupling to transfer energy wirelessly to a receiver on the vehicle.
- The economic viability of the technology remains to be evaluated, with key questions surrounding installation costs, utilization rates, and efficiency.
