In a first-of-its-kind test on December 3, Purdue engineers wirelessly powered a heavy-duty electric truck while it traveled at highway speeds, demonstrating a breakthrough that could make electrified highways more affordable.
The test took place on a quarter-mile experimental highway segment on U.S. Highway 52/U.S. Highway 231 in West Lafayette, built by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). The segment features a patent-pending wireless charging system designed by Purdue engineers, which was demonstrated this fall using an electric semitractor provided by Cummins.
Purdue collaborated with AECOM, White Construction, Inc., and PC Krause and Associates, Inc. to develop and implement key components of the system.
“With this breakthrough system, Purdue has shown that powering large commercial vehicles wirelessly is not just technically feasible but could be a practical and scalable solution for real-world highway transportation.”
The quarter-mile experimental highway segment, built by the Indiana Department of Transportation, is located on U.S. Highway 52/U.S. Highway 231 in West Lafayette.
The system showcases “dynamic wireless power transfer,” allowing vehicles to charge while in motion. During testing, the wireless charging system delivered 190 kilowatts to a truck traveling at 104 km/h. Designed to meet the high power demands of heavy-duty trucks, the Purdue system can also accommodate lighter vehicles. “This is a system designed to work for the heaviest class of trucks all the way down to passenger vehicles,” said Aaron Brovont, a research assistant professor.
Why go through the trouble of making highways essentially a supersized wireless charging pad? According to Purdue, trucking accounts for the largest share of the U.S. gross domestic product among freight transportation modes, so reducing costs for heavy-duty electric trucks could encourage greater investment in electrified highways shared by all vehicle types. Simply put, if electric trucks could charge while driving, they could use smaller batteries and carry more cargo, lowering the overall cost of EV freight transportation.
What’s true for large cargo trucks is also true for smaller cars; electric highways will allow passenger cars to rely on smaller batteries, further reducing costs and improving efficiency.
While these demonstrations show promising results, real-world implementation may still be years away. In the meantime, explore trucks, tractor heads, and utility vehicles on TruckDeal.com.ph to keep your business moving.
