Nation’s First Megawatt-level Wireless Charger
Outcome/Accomplishment
The NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE), headquartered at Utah State University, has developed and deployed the first-ever megawatt-level wireless charger for Class 8 trucks.
Impact/Benefits
Electric vehicle (EV) charging in roadway pavements is similar to wireless smart-phone charging using magnetic fields, but delivers significantly more power across the much larger distance from the pavement to the vehicle that is moving at highway speeds. This technology is a game changer: its continuous charging enables smaller batteries and consequently lower EV cost. It also means lower weight and thus longer range, as less of the electricity generated by the batteries is needed simply to transport the batteries themselves. The result is that passenger cars and heavy-duty trucks alike can charge while driving, without worrying about the need to travel between stationary charging stations.
Explanation/Background
With strong industry and innovation partnerships, ASPIRE developed a novel unfolder-based, single-pad, megawatt-level stationary inductive wireless charger for Class 8 trucks that was deployed in Utah in 2024 with UPS as Kenworth Trucks as part of Utah’s Inland Port Pilot.
ASPIRE’s ready-to-demo technologies also achieve wired and wireless charging for EVs ranging from light-duty passenger vehicles to heavy-duty semi-trucks, with power ranging from 50 kW to over 1 MW, and include both 480 V and 4.16 kV (medium voltage) grid connections.
Location
Logan, Utahwebsite
Start Year
Energy and Sustainability
Energy and Smart Infrastructure
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Outcome/Accomplishment
The NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE), headquartered at Utah State University, has developed and deployed the first-ever megawatt-level wireless charger for Class 8 trucks.
Location
Logan, Utahwebsite
Start Year
Energy and Sustainability
Energy and Smart Infrastructure
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Impact/benefits
Electric vehicle (EV) charging in roadway pavements is similar to wireless smart-phone charging using magnetic fields, but delivers significantly more power across the much larger distance from the pavement to the vehicle that is moving at highway speeds. This technology is a game changer: its continuous charging enables smaller batteries and consequently lower EV cost. It also means lower weight and thus longer range, as less of the electricity generated by the batteries is needed simply to transport the batteries themselves. The result is that passenger cars and heavy-duty trucks alike can charge while driving, without worrying about the need to travel between stationary charging stations.
Explanation/Background
With strong industry and innovation partnerships, ASPIRE developed a novel unfolder-based, single-pad, megawatt-level stationary inductive wireless charger for Class 8 trucks that was deployed in Utah in 2024 with UPS as Kenworth Trucks as part of Utah’s Inland Port Pilot.
ASPIRE’s ready-to-demo technologies also achieve wired and wireless charging for EVs ranging from light-duty passenger vehicles to heavy-duty semi-trucks, with power ranging from 50 kW to over 1 MW, and include both 480 V and 4.16 kV (medium voltage) grid connections.