Honda to Test Wireless In-Motion EV Charging in 2027

Honda will test a magnetic coupling dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) road system for in-motion charging of electric vehicles in the second half of 2027 with partners Taisei and Taisei Rotec.

Honda says the DWPT system combines high-power-density power receiver and transmitter units developed by Honda, a high-response DC power supply system from Taisei, and road embedding equipment supplied by Taisei Rotec.

Closed-door trials on a test roadway at the Future Technology Field for Taisei Group/Satte (T-FIELD/SATTE) in Japan have verified the technology’s effectiveness, Honda said, but the company did not disclose performance figures.

Honda reported that the ground assemblies at the test site have withstood traffic of vehicles with gross weights up to 20 tonnes. For that reason, initial DWPT trials will focus on large commercial vehicles in logistics and transportation.

The companies will construct a dedicated drive roadway at T-FIELD later this year to run long-term durability evaluations, including a loading test equivalent to one million wheel loads, a performance test, and an assessment of measures to address electromagnetic field leakage.

If those tests succeed, Honda will develop the DWPT road system toward real-world operation, including trials with passenger EVs. The company plans to check performance at power output levels up to 150 kW and will verify whether the system works at higher vehicle speeds.

Honda said it will present further technical details at multiple industry events, beginning with Japan Mobility Show Bizweek in mid-October. The company provided no timetable for large-scale deployment.

Wide adoption would require road-network modifications and installation of in-road hardware along supply routes, and Honda described the project as still under development and subject to regulatory and infrastructure challenges.