An Israeli start-up that specializes in roads that can wirelessly charge certain electric cars has opened the first such street in North America, on a short stretch of pavement in Detroit.
As reported by US publication Car and Driver, the unique infrastructure solution was developed and created by start-up firm Electreon, which opened the 400-metre road earlier this week with assistance from the state of Michigan.
Wireless electric-car charging roads are built with inductive charging pads underneath the asphalt, managed by a series of hubs at intervals to ensure that if one section becomes non-functional the other parts of the road can still provide charge.
However, the electric cars which use the roads must be equipped with transmitters to receive the energy.
According to the publication, the unveiling of the road featured a specially modified Ford Transit driving across the charging pads, with a peak reported charging rate of 19kW briefly seen.
For context, most public plug-based fast-chargers charge at up to 50kW, while a 240-volt socket in a domestic residence puts out between 2400 watts and 3600 watts.
According to .drive.com.au. Source of photos: internet
