Japanese automaker Honda Motor has developed a wireless charging technology that can recharge electric vehicles, including large trucks, while they are moving, with plans to test the system on a Japanese highway from the financial year beginning in April 2027.
Honda said the technology was developed by its research arm in partnership with construction company Taisei Corporation and road builder Taisei Rotec.
The system is designed to transfer electricity wirelessly from charging equipment embedded beneath roads to electric vehicles travelling over them. If successfully deployed, the technology could allow electric trucks to replenish their batteries while in motion, reducing the need for frequent stops at conventional charging stations.
Honda said the upcoming highway test will help determine whether the technology can operate reliably under real-world road and traffic conditions.
The companies plan to conduct the demonstration in Japan during the financial year beginning in April 2027 or later, although Honda has not disclosed the specific highway where the test will take place.
The technology could be particularly useful for commercial trucks, which typically travel long distances and require significantly more energy than passenger vehicles. Conventional electric trucks may need to make charging stops during long journeys, potentially increasing delivery times and affecting the efficiency of logistics operations.
By allowing vehicles to charge while travelling, Honda’s system could potentially reduce those interruptions and enable electric trucks to operate for longer periods without having to stop at charging facilities.
The approach could also address one of the major challenges facing the wider adoption of electric heavy-duty vehicles: the need for larger batteries and a sufficiently extensive network of high-capacity charging stations.
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However, the economic feasibility of installing wireless charging equipment across highways remains a major question. Embedding charging infrastructure into roads would require significant construction and maintenance investment, while the system would also need to deliver enough electricity efficiently to justify its cost.
A Honda engineer declined to comment on how the technology would compare financially with conventional high-speed charging networks, saying its economic viability would have to be assessed.
The company is therefore expected to use the highway trial to gather data on the system’s performance, including its charging capability, reliability and potential operating costs.
Wireless charging for moving vehicles has attracted interest from automakers and infrastructure companies seeking alternatives to conventional plug-in charging. Such systems could eventually allow roads used heavily by electric buses, trucks and other commercial vehicles to become part of the charging network.
For Honda, the project forms part of its broader efforts to develop technologies that could support the transition to electric mobility while addressing limitations associated with battery range and charging infrastructure.
The company has not said when the technology could be commercially deployed or whether it would initially target passenger cars, commercial trucks or specific highway routes.
The planned test will provide an important indication of whether charging electric vehicles while they are moving can progress from a technological demonstration to a practical and economically viable solution for road transport.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
