Honda and Taisei Group are working on the WPT system, a technology for charging electric vehicles on the road. Here are the details of the new system.
Honda is working on a new project that will change the charging processes of electric vehicles. The Japanese automaker, together with Taisei Group, started to develop the WPT system, a technology for charging electric vehicles on the road.
This system makes it possible to wirelessly transfer energy to moving vehicles thanks to charging equipment placed under the road. Unlike traditional charging methods, this technology aims to reduce the need for charging by allowing the vehicle to receive energy while driving.
Working principle of wireless energy transfer
The system developed by Honda uses a high power density receiver-transmitter unit placed under the vehicle. This unit works by establishing constant communication with the energy transfer equipment embedded in the road.
The road infrastructure developed by Taisei Group transfers the power it receives from nearby electrical boxes wirelessly while the vehicle is in motion. High-power charging systems currently on the market make it possible to significantly charge batteries within a few minutes.
For example, BYD's Flash Charging technology, which can provide up to 1,500 kW of power, can charge the battery of compatible vehicles from 10 percent to 97 percent in approximately 9 minutes. Honda, on the other hand, aims to reduce the need for charging by ensuring that the vehicle receives energy while driving, rather than accelerating the charging process.
This idea is a concept that has been brought up by different companies before. While Stellantis introduced the concept of a road that can charge on the go in 2021, an Israeli startup introduced a working wireless charging way in 2023.
In addition, other automotive giants such as Hyundai continue to work on similar technologies. Although Honda has started practical tests on the technology, it has not yet announced the amount of energy that can be transferred between the road and the vehicle.
It is not yet clear to what extent the system can charge the battery or how efficiently it will work at different speeds. For this reason, the technology is not expected to replace the existing charging infrastructure in the short term.
Testing process and future plans for commercial vehicles
Honda and Taisei Group plan to use this technology they developed primarily in large commercial vehicles. The companies will test the durability and durability of the surface by building a new road later in 2026.
Then, heavy commercial vehicles will start using this road and the infrastructure will be developed to transmit power up to 150 kW. Prioritizing commercial vehicles will allow better evaluation of the benefits that the system can provide in vehicles with high energy consumption.
Honda did not share a detailed schedule for the results to be achieved during the testing phase or an exact date for when the technology could be put into mass use. After completing the tests on private roads, the company aims to start trials on public roads in Japan from 2027.
This technology could reduce the frequency with which electric vehicle owners charge their vehicles at home or at public charging stations. Do you think roads that can charge while on the move are a sufficient solution to popularize the use of electric vehicles?
