The Nation’s first wireless charging road in Detroit
In Detroit—the Motor City and birthplace of the U.S. automobile industry—Electreon is making history with North America’s first public wireless EV charging road. After 18 months in operation, the project is proving its strength with seamless charging and reliable performance in everyday city traffic
This innovative public–private initiative, led by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), with support from a broad coalition of partners, aims to shape the future of electric mobility. MDOT selected Electreon to deploy a scalable in-road wireless EV charging network. The project centers on a section of 14th Street adjacent to Ford’s Michigan Central innovation district, testing wireless charging in everyday urban traffic.
To simulate real-world transit use, a Ford E-Transit shuttle, nicknamed Ellie, was fitted with a wireless receiver and operated along the route, charging wirelessly while in motion and while stopped. Inductive coils embedded beneath a quarter-mile stretch on 14th Street, and at the “Triangle”, powered the shuttle through heavy traffic, winter storms, and summer heat.
This case study proves that wireless EV charging works—not just in labs, but on real city streets. With only 20% of the route electrified, the system demonstrated “endless range” through strategic charging zones, reducing reliance on dedicated stops, enabling smaller batteries, and easing grid demand—ideal for urban environments and fleets. The project meets MDOT–Electreon’s core goals: establishing a scalable ERS model, sharing best practices, and shaping business cases for national rollout. Since launch, new partners like UPS and Xos have joined, reinforcing Detroit’s role as a living testbed for hands-free, nationwide electric mobility.
Our partners on this project
