Honda is developing an induction charging highway in Japan, with plans to conduct real-world durability testing on the Tateyama Expressway. The company has created new simplified charging pads, which will be installed in a busy freeway on the east side of Tokyo Bay.
The units will be used to test the feasibility of induction charging for electric vehicles (EVs) while they travel along a road. Honda is working in partnership with Taisei Corporation on the project, which aims to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of embedding charging infrastructure in roads.
The charging infrastructure will consist of a pattern of inverters embedded in the tarmac of the driving lane, fed by regular DC power supply stations on the side of the road. Vehicles equipped with receiving panels on the underside will be able to absorb charge as they travel along, at charging rates up to 150 kWh for larger commercial vehicles.
The primary innovation here is simplified wiring for the in-tarmac units, which combine inverter and coil into a single, high-durability pad. This design aims to minimize long-term maintenance costs, with plans to test the durability of the units by running a million wheels over the surface.
While induction charging roads may not be coming to the United States soon, due to the country’s poorly maintained roads, they could be useful for commercial applications. For example, in busy ports where cargo shuttles never stop moving, having a section of road that tops up a battery while driving could keep the machinery moving.
Honda’s electrification plan for North America is currently on pause, due to tariffs and market instability. However, the company is still looking for new routes for EV innovation in its home country of Japan, including the development of its Mobile Power Pack, a 22-pound battery that can be swapped out of electric scooters at combination charging stations and vending machines.
