ASPIRE and Electreon Partner to Develop Dynamic Wireless Charging Roadway in Utah

LOS ANGELES and NORTH LOGAN, Utah – Electreon, a leading developer of in-road wireless electric vehicle charging technology, and ASPIRE (Utah State University), a National Science Foundation-funded Engineering Research Center, have announced a strategic partnership to develop and operate a one-mile-long dynamic wireless charging roadway in Utah. The project will be hosted by the Utah Inland Port Authority and is aimed at showcasing the commercial feasibility of dynamic wireless charging for freight vehicles and its ability to reduce battery size, extend battery range, lower vehicle cost, and reduce grid pressure.

The funding for the project will come from the Utah Legislature, which allocated $15 million in funding to ASPIRE in 2021 to combat emissions, create jobs, and stimulate growth in the surrounding communities. ASPIRE and Electreon plan to attract additional investments for subsequent phases, with the goal of creating a commercial electric road network in Utah and other states.

The comprehensive development and design phase of the project is set to take place in 2023, with deployment set for 2024. The data obtained during the first phase will inform future scaling efforts, including the possibility of deploying dynamic wireless charging systems in the Salt Lake City region along the I-15 and I-80 corridors. The dynamic wireless charging system will be designed to support expansion to other regional centers including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Denver.

The partnership between ASPIRE and Electreon follows a successful collaboration that included the deployment of a 164-foot test track of dynamic in-road wireless charging technology at Utah State University’s test track. Regan Zane, ASPIRE Center Director, said, “Our partnership with Electreon reflects our commitment to bringing electrified transportation solutions to the forefront.” Stefan Tongur, Vice President for Electreon, added, “We are excited to take a step toward our goal of powering fleets of all types and creating low-cost, widely accessible charging infrastructure.”

ASPIRE and Electreon will continue to work on the integration of smart grid technologies and business models for the operational use of wireless power transfer for medium and heavy-duty vehicle fleets.

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