The State of Michigan has announced a new partnership with Electreon, a provider of wireless charging solutions, and Xos, a commercial EV manufacturer, to operate wireless charging technology for electrified commercial vehicles in the American state.
Through the partnership, Electreon’s wireless charging technology will be integrated into an Xos Stepvan (the OEM’s electric delivery van) to demonstrate both the technological value of wireless charging and its potential to lower the total cost of ownership in the electrification of commercial truck fleets. Together, the companies will also install new, stationary wireless charging stations at a UPS facility in Detroit – facilitating cable-free, overnight charging suited to the dense operational area of the delivery company’s depot.
Supporting the project is a $200,000 (£157,613 / 189,095) funding grant from the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP), which itself supports the real-world testing and deployment of mobility projects across the state. Launched by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), alongside the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the MMFP focuses on catalyzing and scaling mobility solutions that improve environmental sustainability. The platform is working towards this goal by encouraging EV adoption and charging infrastructure buildout, while increasing access to affordable and reliable transportation options and modernizing existing transportation systems.
Electreon, UPS, and Xos are together aiming to highlight a unique approach to wireless stationary and dynamic commercial EV charging that can help eliminate operational interruptions and charging downtime. The partners highlighted that the solution can also offer extended vehicle range capabilities without the need for expensive electric grid upgrades or to purchase larger vehicle batteries, mitigating key barriers to fleet electrification.