Honda prepares road tests for wireless charging of electric vehicles

Yesterday 22:22

By: Azzat Manal

Honda prepares road tests for wireless charging of electric vehicles

Honda is preparing to test a wireless charging system that could allow electric vehicles to receive power while travelling on highways, potentially reducing the need for frequent stops at conventional charging stations.

The Japanese automaker plans to move the technology toward real-world road testing as part of a project involving construction and road engineering companies. The trials are expected to examine whether vehicles can continuously receive electricity while moving and whether the system can operate reliably under actual traffic and road conditions.

The concept relies on installing specialized power-transfer equipment beneath or within sections of road infrastructure. Electric vehicles equipped with compatible technology would be able to draw energy wirelessly as they pass over designated charging lanes, eliminating the need for a physical connection to a charging station.

Honda is expected to begin testing during or after Japan's fiscal year starting in April 2027. The initial phase will focus on determining the system's performance, including how effectively electricity can be transferred to moving vehicles and how the technology can be integrated into existing road infrastructure.

Dynamic charging could have particular advantages for commercial vehicles and heavy trucks, which typically require larger batteries because of their weight and longer operating distances. Larger battery packs can increase vehicle weight, cost and charging requirements, making alternative methods of supplying energy potentially attractive for long-distance transportation.

By providing electricity during a journey, wireless road charging could reduce the amount of energy that vehicles need to store in their batteries before setting out. In the longer term, this could support the development of smaller or more efficiently sized battery systems for certain applications.

The technology also reflects a broader shift toward so-called smart roads, where transport infrastructure is designed to interact directly with connected and electric vehicles. Instead of functioning solely as a surface for traffic, roads could increasingly become part of the energy infrastructure supporting electric mobility.

However, widespread deployment would require substantial investment. Roads would need to be equipped with charging components, while automakers and infrastructure operators would need compatible technical standards to ensure that different vehicles can use the same systems. Installation, maintenance, energy efficiency and the cost of upgrading existing roads would also be key considerations.

The approach could be particularly useful on heavily travelled highways where electric vehicles cover long distances and charging infrastructure can be difficult to expand quickly. For fleet operators, reducing stationary charging time could potentially improve vehicle utilization and simplify long-distance operations.

Honda's planned trials will therefore provide an important opportunity to assess whether dynamic wireless charging can move beyond the experimental stage and become a practical part of electric mobility infrastructure.

If the technology proves reliable and economically viable, charging while driving could offer another solution to one of the industry's major challenges: extending the usable range of electric vehicles while reducing the time they spend stationary for recharging.