Honda has partnered with Taisei Corporation and Taisei Rotec to develop road surfaces that transfer electricity to electric vehicles in motion. The system relies on magnetic coupling between coils installed beneath the road surface and a receiver unit mounted to the vehicle floor. Prototype testing begins late in 2026 to verify durability, power efficiency, and electromagnetic shielding.
The charging pavement supports commercial freight vehicles weighing up to 20 tons. Construction crews can insert the modular coils directly into existing roadways following standard asphalt milling, which keeps installation costs down and avoids complete road rebuilds. Simplified wiring channels inside the modules allow road crews to service and resurface the pavement later without ripping out the electrical grid.
Physical stress testing will simulate 1,000,000 wheel passes under a mechanical load of 49 kN to confirm the pavement handles continuous heavy traffic without cracking. Field engineers will also monitor the surface to prevent electromagnetic field emissions from escaping into roadside areas.
Engineering goals include delivering wireless charging output up to 150 kW while vehicles travel at highway speeds. Following initial proving ground evaluations, Honda will test the system on Japans Tateyama Expressway during the 2027 fiscal year under the Tateyama Project. Initial real world rollout targets regional trucking routes and public transit systems where continuous mobile charging can reduce battery pack weight and eliminate stationary recharge stops.
Source: honda
